Elizabeth

The Lord Has Done This for Me

“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1: 36-37

Barrenness was considered a sign of God’s disapproval. Elizabeth probably felt the shame of barrenness, even though both she and her husband, Zechariah, came from priestly lines of descent and he was a priest. In truth, they were “righteous in the sight of God for they observed all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” (Luke 1:6).

One day when Zechariah was burning incense in the Holy Place, he didn’t come out for a long time. When he did, he indicated with hand gestures to those who’d gathered for prayer that he couldn’t talk. Something had happened.

He explained to Elizabeth, perhaps by writing on a tablet, that he’d seen an angel named Gabriel who’d presented an incredible message. Gabriel even knew his name and Elizabeth’s. He said they were going to have a baby despite their advanced age! When Zechariah hadn’t believed him, the angel said Zechariah wouldn’t be able to speak until the baby was born and named John (Luke 1:8-20).

Elizabeth knew the scriptures and had a strong faith. She didn’t seem to doubt the angel’s words at all. “The Lord has done this for me,” she  said.  “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people” (Luke 1:25).

When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, the angel Gabriel visited the virgin Mary and told her she’d give birth to a child in an even more supernatural way than her cousin Elizabeth would (Luke 1:26-38).  Mary “got ready and hurried” to visit Elizabeth. Both women were filled with joy at the news Gabriel brought. And the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leapt for joy at Mary’s greeting (Luke 1:41). Babies often move in the womb, but John leapt!

Later, Zechariah and Elizabeth celebrated the circumcision of their newborn son. At this time, on the eighth day, the baby would be named. Everyone expected he’d be given Zechariah’s name. But Elizabeth spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John” (Luke 1: 61-66). Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and confirmed Elizabeth’s choice. Then Zechariah’s speech was restored, and he began to praise God.

The Lord has visited each of us. He’s offered us new life. This may not seem to be as spectacular a miracle as Elizabeth’s or Mary’s, but it is. It’s an even greater miracle because the new life that comes from believing in Jesus as Savior leads to eternal life.

What has the Lord done for you?

Dig Deeper

Elizabeth probably didn’t live to see her son become “the Baptizer,” but what could she have known about him—as Zechariah had known? Compare Luke 1:76-80 and Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 49:6.

Compare Judges 13:1-14 and Luke 1:13-17. Why did Elizabeth hide away during her pregnancy? How was her reproach taken away and great glory put upon her instead?

We probably all feel ashamed of our actions when we come to the Lord and face his holiness. How has God taken away our shame? See 1 Peter 2:4-10.

Nancy J. Baker

This devotion is part of our series on Not-As-Famous Men and Women of the Bible and is included in our most recent devotional collection, Restore the Significance.