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 t the conclusion of our last study Zacharias, the priest, was inside the Holy Place of Herod’s Temple. Upon entering he would have made preparations to offer incense and maybe prayed. We do not know when he saw the angel standing to the right of the Altar of Incense. But when Zacharias saw Gabriel, he was full of fear. So Gabriel encouraged him not to be fearful and told him that his prayers had been answered. Zacharias and his wife would have a son, and his name would be John. John would be filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born, and his future ministry would be in the spirit and power of Elijah. Most fathers would have been excited and thrilled that their request for a son had been granted, but not Zacharias. He complained, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” (Luke 1:18). The Greek language suggests that Zacharias thought he was too old. Apparently, Zacharias and his wife had been praying for a long time and now he could not believe this was possible. He might have stopped praying but Elizabeth had not. Elizabeth was still hoping (v. 25). The Right Time. God had apparently waited for years before answering their prayer.
He waited until Zacharias was able to offer incense in the Holy Place. He waited until Zacharias was an old
man and his wife was “advanced in years.” She was much older than he was.
Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years." (NASB) Luke 1:18 But God’s timing was right. He waited until it was time for the birth of the Messiah. God is in the business of perfectly timing when He grants our requests. He waits until the “right time.” He uses circumstances to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Sometimes He is more interested in what is best for us than in our comfort. So He waited to grant Zacharias and Elizabeth their urgent petition. He accomplished His purpose and blessed them at the same time. The forerunner was coming and the Messiah was near.
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