Day 10 

# 10  Lady-In-Waiting:
Elizabeth 

HER NAME MEANS  "God's promise". 

                        

Her story is found in Luke 1:5-80 

1:5-7 In the time of Herod king of Judea  there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah;  his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.  But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.  1:13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid,  Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.  

Her Character: 

She observed all of the Lord's commandments and regulations without blame. 
She was upright in the sight of God. 

What she waited for: 

After she had a child in her old age she waited to see what God would do in his life. 

When Elizabeth was young she dreamed of getting married and having children. She married well, a  priest. She had hopes they would have a child, but as the years passed she never conceived, she was barren. However, God had a plan for her and her husband. The angel Gabriel gave her husband the news. It was during the time of year when her husband had been chosen by lots (dice) to be the priest to go into the holy temple and burn incense. She was waiting along with the others for him to come out from the holy room in the temple, it was taking a long time. So finally, when her husband emerged from the room, the people wanted to know why it took so long.  He could not speak and he tried to use hand signals to tell them. Everyone realized he had seen a vision. 

He remained at the temple until his service time was completed then went home to Elizabeth. Elizabeth became pregnant. This is what had been told to him by the angel Gabriel in the temple. He was told- "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you will name him John." He was told that the child would be a joy and delight to them and that many would rejoice because of his birth. He was the forerunner and the Voice in the wilderness that would come before the Lord, Christ- Messiah. 

Elizabeth remained secluded for 5 months. In her 6th month her relative Mary made a visit to her. As Mary entered her home and Elizabeth heard her voice the body inside Elizabeth leaped. Elizabeth exclaimed- "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear."

Three months later Elizabeth had her baby boy. When asked what his name would be Elizabeth said, John. The neighbors and relatives thought for sure he would be named Zechariah, after his father.  No one in their family was named John. So, they asked the father to gesture what the name should be. He asked for a tablet and wrote; his name is John. Immediately his mouth opened and he was able to speak. His first words were of praise to God!

  "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us- to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham. ... and you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."

We find through out the scriptures that God choses men and women who are upright and observe the commands of God. It was Sarah and Abraham all over again, Rebekah and Isaac, Rachel and Jacob, God was once again kindling a fire with two dry sticks. 

    Ann Spangler's comment  about Mary's visit to Elizabeth before they had their children is a great way to finish today's blog: 

     The two women held each other, their bonds of kinship now stronger than what mere flesh and blood could forge. For Israel's God- The God of Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Deborah, Naomi, Ruth, Abigail, and Hannah - was on the move again, bringing the long-ago promise to fulfillment. And blessed was she who did not doubt that what the Lord had said to her would be accomplished. 

Give ear to my words, O  Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,  for to you I pray. In the morning, O  Lord, you hear my voice;  in the morning I lay my requests before you and 
wait in expectation.  

Psalm 5:1-3 

TO PONDER IN YOUR HEART: God is on the move. Do you believe what He has said about the return of Jesus?  Will you be like Elizabeth who did not doubt what the Lord has said He will accomplish?