John to be the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:76-79)

Thousands of years earlier Abraham, the great patriarch to the Jews, knew that Jesus was to come and why He was to come. It is wonderful, although not surprising, that Zacharias includes Abraham in his prophecy because the Jews traced their lineage back to him through his son Isaac. The Arabs trace their lineage back to Abraham through Ishmael, Abraham's other son. The promise that God made to Abraham was a significant one because it was about Jesus,

Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD . . . I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." (NASB) Genesis 22:15-18

The Holy Spirit tells us in Gal. 3:16 that "seed" refers to Jesus. God had called Abraham and given him a mission in life. Abraham had a purpose in life just as Zach and Liz and their baby John had a purpose. The prophets of old had a purpose in life. Everyone of us has a purpose for existing, but some of us miss it and life is not what it should be. What is your purpose in life? Why are you here? What has God called you to do?

Abraham was significant to Zacharias and Elizabeth because he was their historical father. Abraham and Sarah had been buried in the Cave of Machpelah (Gen. 23; 50:13). The cave was located in Hebron, where we believe that Zach and Liz lived. It would have been a place that Jews would visit. The cave would have been a constant reminder of this dearly beloved man. So it is not surprising that Abraham’s name occurred in Zacharias’ prophecy. He was loved by the Jewish people. They clung to the promise that God made to him, and Abraham was an example of one who submitted to God’s will. He was the friend of God.

Zacharias’ Prophecy - The Messiah. Zacharias’ prophecy now shifts to John’s purpose in life, his mission, his reason for existence, why he was here.

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; to give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, TO SHINE UPON THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS AND THE SHADOW OF DEATH, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (NASB) Luke 1:76-79