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    Luke 1:18-25
    ​Lesson 101

    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson:
     
    "I am an old man."
     
    A continuation of lesson 100. 
    Study Tip:
     
    Find the truth in each passage of the Bible.  Ponder how that truth is relevant to you and how you can apply it to your life.

    The Gospel According to St. Luke

    The King James Bible    ​

    Luke 1:18-25
    Zacharias doubts Gabriel
    ​
    18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
     
    19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

    20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

    21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
     
    22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

    23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

    24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

    ​25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
    ​Margin notes: 
     
    Whereby shall I know this?." (1:18) - "How can I believe this."
     
    "I am Gabriel." (1:19) - Only two angels are mentioned by name in Scripture, Gabriel and Michael the archangel (Daniel 10:13; 10:21; 12:1; Jude 9; Revelation 12:7).  Gabriel is a defender of Israel (Daniel 12:1).  He appeared to Daniel (Daniel 8:15-17; 9:21) and then, five hundred years later, to Zacharias (Luke 1:11-20) and Mary (Luke 1:26-38).  Moslems revere Gabriel and call him "the Spirit of Truth" and "the Holy Spirit."  
     
    "Shall be fulfilled in their season." (1:20) - "Shall come true in time."
     
    "The people waited for Zacharias." (1:21) - The people sat outside waiting for Zacharias to exit the Temple and give them the traditional blessing recorded in Numbers 6:23-27.
     
    "Marvelled that he tarried so long." (2:21) - Means, the people were surprised that Zacharias stayed so long in the Temple.
     
    "He beckoned unto them." (1:22) - "He gestured with his hands to them." 
     
    "As soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished." (1:23) - "As soon as the days of his Temple service were finished."  Each order of priests served one week in the Temple.
           
    "Take away my reproach." (1:25) - "Take away my disgrace."  God promised the Jewish people they would be fruitful (Genesis 17:6), so being childless was considered a divine punishment and came with a social stigma.  Also, childless couples faced a dim future.  When children became of age, they contributed to the families financial security.  Because there was no social security or safety net, children took care of their aging parents.


                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    Luke 1:18-25
     
    18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I be sure this will happen? I'm an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years."

    19 Then the angel said, "I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news!

    20 But now, since you didn't believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time."

    21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long.

    22 When he finally did come out, he couldn't speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

    ​23 When Zechariah's week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home.

    24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months.

    ​25 "How kind the Lord is!" she exclaimed. "He has taken away my disgrace of having no children."
    ​This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version." 
    Today's question:
     
    1. Why did God take away Zacharias' voice? (1:20)  
           


    ​
    Read the Scriptures every day.
    Answer: (Do you agree?)
     
    1. Zacharias was struck mute because of his lack of faith.  As a priest, Zacharias knew the story of how the elderly Abraham and Sarah became parents and, despite being old, he should not have doubted Gabriel's message.  As remarkable as it seemed for her age, God did indeed deliver the promised baby to Elisabeth, just as He had for Sarah (Genesis 21:1-3).  Every word spoken by God is true, and every promise He makes will be kept.  Zacharias was a priest dedicating his life to God, yet he needed more faith.  


    ​  
    ​              

    Application thought for the day:
     
    Zacharias and Elisabeth waited until old age for God to answer their prayers.  Be patient, God answers prayers in His own time, when it best serves Him, and you. ​
    Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible".  All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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