1Start
Zacharias was unable to speak for months. When his son was eight days old, he asked for something to write on and wrote four words (Luke 1:63).
2Read Together
When the angel promised a son, Zacharias asked, “Whereby shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18). The angel, Gabriel, told him he would be unable to speak until the promise was fulfilled (Luke 1:19–20).
Luke 1:59–64 · King James Version
59And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
3What It Teaches
Elisabeth stayed out of sight for five months and rejoiced that the Lord had “looked on me, to take away my reproach among men” (Luke 1:24–25). When the baby came, her neighbors and cousins rejoiced with her (Luke 1:58).
The relatives expected the boy to be named after his father. Elisabeth said he would be called John, and they turned to Zacharias (Luke 1:59–62). The angel had given that name months before (Luke 1:13).
Zacharias wrote, “His name is John.” Then “his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God” (Luke 1:63–64). After the long silence, his first act was to obey the angel, and his first words were praise.
People all through the hill country asked, “What manner of child shall this be!” (Luke 1:65–66). About thirty years later, this child would baptize Jesus.
4Talk About It
Zacharias had months of silence to think about the angel’s words. What helps you trust the Lord again after a time when you doubted?