(2) Rumors from Hebron.
Late June, perhaps 5 BC.
Dear Friend, in our last conversation I
told you the strange story of the priest serving in the Temple in Jerusalem
last Fall. He was from my home town, Ain Karim in Hebron. His name was
Zechariah, and while offering the incense in the Temple, suddenly he was struck
mute! Coming out, he couldn’t speak a word! (Luke 1:5-25.) Do you remember my
telling you?
Well, guess what! The old gossip who
started the rumor that the priest’s wife – Elizabeth is her name – was pregnant
– was right! Another Hannah bearing a child in her old age! (1 Sam 1.)
It was my wife who noticed first. She was
out in the garden last Spring planting the vegetable and flower seeds and
happened to notice Elizabeth out in front of her house, looking for someone on the road. Soon a young
girl, maybe about 15, and bit older man, maybe in his 30's – later we learned he was her husband – and from
Nazareth in Galilee; can anything good come from Nazareth? (Jn 1:46.) Anyway, they came to
the house and Elizabeth reached out with arms extended to greet the girl – and
my wife saw it. Yup! Elizabeth was pregnant! For sure! Who would have guessed!
Pretty soon the whole town knew. Others
had seen also. Everyone wanted to congratulate Elizabeth and Zechariah. (cf., Lk 1:58.) He
still couldn’t speak, but he had a little tablet he could write on if needed. (Lk 1:63.) I
went also to congratulate them. That’s when I learned that, yes, Zechariah had
seen an angel in the Temple that day. The angel said his name was Gabriel – the
same one who had come to the Prophet Daniel (Dan 9:21). And poor Zechariah,
somehow he had given up hope of ever having a son. Yes, he prayed, but he
didn’t believe anymore. They were too old. So when the angel told him he would
have a son, he thought it impossible. That’s why God made him mute – for his
unbelief. (Lk 1:20.) Tough lot!
My wife. of course, got the back story
from the women. The young girl – Mary is her name, a distant cousin of
Elizabeth (Lk 1:36) – has been staying with Elizabeth and helping out in the home. (Her
husband had some business to take care of so he didn’t stay.) Well, a huge help
to Elizabeth! And apparently Mary was raised in the Temple from an early age* so
now Elizabeth is teaching her about pregnancy and childbirth and baby care –
you know, women’s things.
But apparently both Zechariah and
Elizabeth think that their child is going to be a prophet. And not just any
prophet, but the prophet who is the messenger to prepare the way for the
Messiah! Yes, really! (Lk 1:15-17, 76-79.)
Imagine that! We all saw the miracle! I was there! One moment Zechariah was mute, the next minute he was praising God and then telling us the whole story. We were all in awe. Everyone all over has been talking about it. What will this child become? (Lk 1:65-66.)
Oh, and Zechariah sang a beautiful hymn in praise
of God, a prophecy, really, about his son. Proud Dad! Very happy! (Lk 1:67-79.)
Incidentally, my wife tells me that
apparently this young girl, Mary, had also composed a hymn in praise of God and
His mercy (Lk 1:46-55). Apparently, she and Elizabeth sing it frequently, and
so all the women have learned it now.
Oh, and by the way, it’s been over three months since Mary arrived. (Lk 1:56.) From what my wife says, it looks like little John may not be the only baby on the way! Blessed be God!
* A very early tradition. The Feast of the Presentation of Mary is celebrated November 21st. For further information, click here.
Dibby Allan Green