Since I have finished Mark, and have moved into Luke in my slow walk through the gospels, I read about Zacharias this morning. The Bible says that he and his wife, Elizabeth, were both righteous in the sight of God, but that they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren. It adds that they were both advanced in years, implying that having children at this point in their lives was an impossibility.
Zacharias was in the temple performing his priestly duties at that time. The priesthood was divided into divisions, and his division, that of Abijah, was slated to serve that week. He had been chosen by lot (by “chance”) to enter the temple and burn incense to the Lord. This was, according to one commentary, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The incense was burned on an alter made for this purpose that was in front of the veil dividing the holy place from the holy of holies, where the ark of the covenant had been kept (Exodus 30:1-8). As he offered incense on this altar, there was a large crowd of people outside offering up prayer. The incense represented the prayers of God’s people rising up to Him.
So, Zacharias was in the holy place offering incense to the Lord, when Gabriel appeared to the right of the altar. He then delivered his message:
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John." Luke 1:13The commentaries pointed out that since they were “advanced in years,” Zacharias had probably long since stopped praying for children. This is born out by his subsequent expression of disbelief (Luke 1:18-20). The angel reminds Zacharias that his timing is not God’s timing when he says, “…you did not believe my words, which shall be fulfilled in their proper time.”
Zacharias’ prayers were heard. They were not discarded, misplaced, or forgotten. They were heard and answered. God is not bound by linear time like we are. I believe He is the Creator of time. When He hears our prayers, He answers them. And to us, it may seem like His answer comes years later, and that He has held it back from us for all that time, but to Him, He had already answered our prayers. Sometimes I tend to think that prayers I had prayed years ago have no bearing on today or the years ahead. But God has not forgotten them, even if I have.
