Zechariah and Elizabeth have no children because Elizabeth is barren. For Hebrews, that meant shame, as well as no progeny to carry on one’s line. Job’s friends (and we) would try to figure out what they did, why they suffered this shame, why God had not given them children. But Luke makes it clear that this couple is righteous, obeying God’s law.
When Israel was barren, it was because of its sin and rebellion against the Lord. But here, there is no rebellion. Israel is barren of godly leadership, under the oppressive hand of the Romans. God will begin to remedy this barrenness by giving Z&E a son who will be the reconciling prophet who prepares the people for the Messiah.
Zechariah’s name means “the Lord remembers”. Even though Elizabeth’s clock for having a baby is up, the Lord remembers this couple, as well as Israel’s need.
I like preaching on this passage about the appearance of Gabriel to Zechariah in the temple. God remembers us, even when it looks like it’s past due. I feel like I can say this with the authority of personal experience – going through times of apparent abandonment by God, yet seeing God provide and work through events in ways that aren’t according to my timetable.
