Elizabeth

Elizabeth was a descendant of Adam and wife of Zechariah. She and her husband lived together happily for many years.  At the age of 60, Elizabeth was childless but despite their advanced ages, she and her husband had not stopped praying for a child.  As a member of the priestly tribe, Zechariah was selected by lot to burn incense in the inner sanctum of the temple. This was a great honor.  While Zechariah was exercising his duty, the angel Gabriel appeared and told him Elizabeth would bear a son who would be honored among men. He said the child should be named John.  Because of his and his wife’s ages, Zechariah was skeptical.  Because of his unbelief, he was struck mute and could no longer speak.  After the fulfillment of his priestly duties, Zechariah returned home to tell his wife the good news to Elizabeth.  Very shortly, Elizabeth was pregnant.

Six months later, Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her she would bear a son, and she was to name him Jesus.  Mary and Elizabeth were cousins. As was customary in that day, when Mary learned of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, she traveled from her home in Nazareth to Judah to visit Elizabeth. Mary may not have been surprised that Elizabeth, at her age, was pregnant as she was experiencing her own miracle pregnancy.  When Elizabeth saw Mary, she was overcome with the Holy Spirit.  Her baby jumped in the womb, and she told Mary she was carrying the Messiah. At that news, Mary began praising the Lord.
It was the custom to circumcise male babies eight days after their birth, and newborn sons were given their father’s name. Elizabeth’s and Zechariah’s relatives and neighbors were surprised when Elizabeth and Zechariah named their son John as the angel had instructed.  It was that day that Zechariah regained his speech. He praised God for the magnificent gift of his son.  Elizabeth had borne the child who would become John the Baptist whose ministry ended 400 years of prophetic silence. He was the prophet who announced Jesus’ coming to save mankind.

Elizabeth was chosen by God to bring John the Baptist into the world. She and her husband nurtured and protected him to adulthood so he could prepare all who would hear of the promised messiah’s coming.

Biblical Principles

• God turned childlessness into fertility when He chose Elizabeth to be John the Baptist’s mother. (Luke 1:7;13)
• God is faithful to His promises. (Luke 1:57)
• Elizabeth’s relationship with God manifested the Holy Spirit so she knew the infant Mary was carrying was Jesus. (Luke 1:41)
• Obedience to God brings His blessings. (Luke 1:64)

For Women Today
Elizabeth never doubted her prayers for a child would be answered.  Even during her many years of infertility, she kept her faith in God as her savior and a keeper of His promises.  God rewarded her faithfulness with the blessing of birthing and rearing the prophet who would proclaim Jesus’ coming. Elizabeth shows us that God can give us more than we ask for if we hold steadfast to our belief and our service to Him. At her advanced age, God gave Elizabeth the desires of her heart.  There are no barrier to God bestowing His blessings upon us.  Nothing is impossible for God.