King Herod of Judea, or Herod the Great, reigned from 37-4 BC. The time here when John the Baptist was born was probably 6 or 7 BC. Zechariah and Elizabeth both came from priestly families, and Zechariah himself was a priest. They were righteous people who lived Godly lives, but they could not have children. This is a clear example that not being able to have children is not necessarily a sign of God's judgement. Moreover, they were both getting on. However, God loves to do the impossible, and a significant number of key people in the Bible were born to couples who, without God's intervention, could not have children.
Zechariah was carrying out his priestly duties and was chosen by lot to go into the temple of the Lord to present incense. Now the casting of lots was a random process, yet God was still in control. This has implications for our
understanding of creation. Just because a process is, as far as we can tell, random, does not mean that God cannot use the process.
While in the temple an angel of the Lord appeared beside Zechariah. Not surprisingly Zechariah was afraid. Zechariah and Elizabeth had been praying to God. Maybe they had given up hope, but God had not forgotten them. We should not stop praying, we should not give up hope, and we should continue serving God. The angel announced that they would indeed have a child and were to name him John. He was not to drink wine and he would be filled with the Spirit, even before he was born. He would be a prophet in the line of Elijah and would cause many to turn back to God. Verse 17 is a clear reference to Malachi 4:5.
Zechariah inquires as to how this can happen. The angel then announces that he is Gabriel, and that Zechariah will be struck dumb until John is born because of his unbelief.
The people realised Zechariah had had an encounter with God when he came out struck dumb. Elizabeth became pregnant and rejoiced that her disgrace had been taken away. Childlessness was viewed as a curse in those days.
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