“After this, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for forgive months remained in seclusion.” (Luke 1:24 NIV)
Zechariah came home after the angel encounter at work, dumbfounded by his enthusiastic exchange with the celestial being. Apparently he greeted his wife in the way that husbands do and shock of all shocks, Elizabeth was pregnant!
I don’t know that her pregnancy began with the joy that we initially imagine. Barren couples tend to receive a positive pregnancy test with great caution. For the childless, a surprise conception all too often ends in another disappointment. As a woman who has struggled with conception myself, I consider the wide range of emotions Elizabeth might have succumb to: surprise, disbelief, doubt, anxiety, fear. And to boot, her husband was silent on the matter altogether. Granted, husbands are generally under-qualified in these sort of hormonal-emotional matters anyway.
Zechariabeth (celebrity mashup name) had been married for decades. Historians put Zechariah at about 92 and Elizabeth at 60. They had shared a lifetime of active ministry together; the Levites were responsible for Temple worship activities but also teaching and encouraging within the community. Zechariabeth’s childlessness had likely kept them connected to their purpose and each other. And then they had this wondrous, world-shattering turn of events, but they couldn’t discuss it?
I’ve had a season like that in my marriage; a time when my husband was not equipped or available to to process the tangle of emotions I was feeling. And I did exactly what Elizabeth did, I took my mess to the Lord. Turns out husbands and girlfriends are good, but God is far better.
Elizabeth holed up with God for five full months. She hid herself away in His love; letting Him address all her fears, confusion, concerns and ultimately her reproach. By the time she re-enters society in the third trimester her heart and frame are bulging with hope. Five months of divine seclusion had prepared her to face her community and motherhood with great courage and joy. It’s evident in her encounter with Mary. We also note that Elizabeth speaks as one filled with the Holy Spirit – a natural outcome from prolonged pursuit of God. We see the same result from Zechariah’s prolonged silence, he was filled as well.
In the end, it was good that Zechariah was silenced and Elizabeth was secluded. It’s obvious that they both grew closer to God in that season. And when their communication was restored, they had much to say about who God is and how He was intervening in their lives.
Sometimes we can be too busy in a season or too close to others to fully share our hearts with God. In Zechariah and Elizabeth’s story, we see the vital importance of silence and separation, especially as we prepare to receive the Messiah again. Unfortunately, our culture approaches Christmas by turning up the volume and pace. But we can buck culture, we can pull away and go quiet. We can prioritize the holy practice of taking our questions and concerns into the throne room before we opine publicly and add to the din. This Christmas, carve out some time to pursue the Person that matters most. Step aside, silence your soul and when you are through, step out into the world more full of the Holy Spirit; ready to speak just the right words at just the right time.
“Blessed is she who believed the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”
(Luke 1:45 NIV)
“Come away with me to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:21 NIV)
Lord, please help us prioritize our relationship with You in this sacred season. We recognize our tendency to turn to flesh and blood sounding boards, but You alone have the words of life. You bring the heavenly perspective we so desperately need. As the Christmas season amps up, may we slow down, setting aside time to sit at You feet and find our way to the truth. Fill us up with Your Holy Spirit and joy, so we may speak right words at the right time. Amen.