Thematic Bible: Of zacharias
Thematic Bible
Poetry » Lyrics, sacred » Of zacharias
"May the Lord be praised, [who is] the God of the Israelites, for He has come to [the aid of] His people and bought them back [i.e., from bondage]. He has provided a horn of salvation [i.e., His saving strength] for us from a descendant of His servant King David [i.e., Jesus, born of Mary] (as He spoke through the message of the holy prophets of long ago). read more.
[He has provided] salvation from our enemies, and from the [destructive] hand of all those who hate us, in order to show mercy to our forefathers and to remember His holy Agreement. [This Agreement was] the oath by which He swore to Abraham, our forefather, that we would be delivered from the [destructive] hand of our enemies and [then] serve Him without fear by living holy and righteous lives before Him all of our days. Yes, you [my] child [i.e., John], will be called the prophet of the Highest [i.e., God], for you will go ahead of the Lord's presence to prepare His ways. And [you will] provide the knowledge of salvation to His people, by [granting them] the forgiveness of their sins because of God's merciful compassion. Therefore, the morning sun from above will arise to shine on those who are sitting in darkness and [are under] the shadow of death, and to direct our feet into the way of peace."
[He has provided] salvation from our enemies, and from the [destructive] hand of all those who hate us, in order to show mercy to our forefathers and to remember His holy Agreement. [This Agreement was] the oath by which He swore to Abraham, our forefather, that we would be delivered from the [destructive] hand of our enemies and [then] serve Him without fear by living holy and righteous lives before Him all of our days. Yes, you [my] child [i.e., John], will be called the prophet of the Highest [i.e., God], for you will go ahead of the Lord's presence to prepare His ways. And [you will] provide the knowledge of salvation to His people, by [granting them] the forgiveness of their sins because of God's merciful compassion. Therefore, the morning sun from above will arise to shine on those who are sitting in darkness and [are under] the shadow of death, and to direct our feet into the way of peace."
Vision » Of zacharias » In the temple
But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid Zacharias, for your earnest prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son and you will name him John. And you will have joy and happiness and many people will rejoice when he is born. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and he will not drink any wine or intoxicating drinks [Note: This restriction suggests that John may have taken the special vow of consecration making him a "Nazarite"]. And he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from the time he is born. read more.
And he will influence many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. He will go on ahead of the Messiah [See verse 76], in the spirit and power of Elijah, to rekindle the affections of fathers for their children, and [to influence] disobedient people to live wisely like righteous people. And he will prepare the people to be ready for [the coming of] the Lord." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is [also] very old." The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And consider this, you will [have to] remain a mute and be unable to speak until the day when these things happen because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in due time." Now the people who waited [outside] for Zacharias were very surprised that he was staying in the Temple so long. And when he [finally] came out, he was not able to talk to them. Then they realized he had seen a vision while in the Temple. So, he remained a mute and had to make [hand] signs to them [i.e., in order to be understood].
And he will influence many Israelites to turn to the Lord their God. He will go on ahead of the Messiah [See verse 76], in the spirit and power of Elijah, to rekindle the affections of fathers for their children, and [to influence] disobedient people to live wisely like righteous people. And he will prepare the people to be ready for [the coming of] the Lord." And Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is [also] very old." The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And consider this, you will [have to] remain a mute and be unable to speak until the day when these things happen because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in due time." Now the people who waited [outside] for Zacharias were very surprised that he was staying in the Temple so long. And when he [finally] came out, he was not able to talk to them. Then they realized he had seen a vision while in the Temple. So, he remained a mute and had to make [hand] signs to them [i.e., in order to be understood].