Bible Word of the Day
Elizabeth (Mother of John the Baptist)
Meaning
Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist, and the wife of Zechariah (also called Zacharias). Elizabeth was also a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus. The Bible describes Elizabeth and Zechariah both as godly people, who were barren unto their old age. These were two people who loved the Lord and believed in His promise of the coming Messiah, who is Christ Jesus our Lord. Zechariah was a priest and part of his duties was to work in the Temple of God. However, this was a rare event and because of the number of priest there was a system of selection whereby men were chosen to burn incense in the Temple.
The lot had fallen on Zechariah and while in the Temple an angel from God appeared. The angel informed him that he and Elizabeth (though both elderly) would bear a son. The angel told him that God had heard their prayers and their son would be special. They would call his name John and he would become a forerunner of Christ. John the Baptist was used as a forerunner by God. This means that he was born several months ahead of the incarnation of Jesus. This happened in order that John, could serve God by announcing the coming of Messiah, before Jesus entered His public ministry.
“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.” (Gospel of Like 1:5-7)
“So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.'” (Gospel of Like 1:8-16)