Topical Bible: Praise: Zacharias

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Zacharias, also known as Zechariah, is a significant figure in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of Luke. He was a priest of the division of Abijah and the husband of Elizabeth, who was a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5). Both Zacharias and Elizabeth were described as righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord (Luke 1:6). Despite their devout lives, they were childless, as Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years (Luke 1:7).

The narrative of Zacharias is pivotal in the unfolding of the Gospel account, as it sets the stage for the birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ. While Zacharias was serving as a priest before God, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense (Luke 1:8-9). During this sacred duty, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, announcing that his prayer had been heard and that Elizabeth would bear a son, whom they were to name John (Luke 1:13). Gabriel further revealed that John would be great in the sight of the Lord and would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God (Luke 1:15-16).

Zacharias, however, expressed doubt due to his and Elizabeth's old age, asking, "How can I be sure of this?" (Luke 1:18). As a result of his unbelief, Gabriel declared that Zacharias would be mute until the fulfillment of the prophecy, as a sign of the truth of God's message (Luke 1:20).

The fulfillment of Gabriel's words came to pass, and Elizabeth conceived. When the time came for the child’s birth, Zacharias' speech was restored after he confirmed the name of the child as John, in obedience to the angel's command (Luke 1:63-64). Upon regaining his voice, Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, offering a hymn of praise known as the Benedictus (Luke 1:67-79). This canticle is a profound expression of praise and prophecy, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham and His mercy in raising up a horn of salvation for His people.

Zacharias' account is a testament to the themes of faith, obedience, and the fulfillment of God's promises. His initial doubt transformed into a powerful proclamation of God's redemptive plan, illustrating the transformative power of divine intervention and the importance of trusting in God's word.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:64
And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Praise of the Bishop.
... Chapter I."Praise of the bishop. ... and ordinances of the Lord, even as the strings
are with the harp, and is no less blameless than was Zacharias the priest. ...
/.../chapter i praise of the bishop.htm

The Judgment Upon Zacharias
... The Lord did not say, "Well, Zacharias, as you don't believe it, your wife, Elizabeth ...
He could not add a note to the volume of praise that went up to the God he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the judgment upon zacharias.htm

The Birth of John Foretold. Chs. 1:5-25
... realized. Zacharias would not accept the word of the Lord; he would not
praise him for his goodness and his grace. Therefore, his ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/a the birth of john.htm

The Story of the Angel by the Altar
... Then Mary was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and broke out into a song of
praise. ... They were going to name him Zacharias, after his father. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the angel.htm

The Angels of the Advent.
... Seven months before this time a little son had been born to Zacharias and Elizabeth. ...
Then his mouth was opened, and he began to speak and to praise God, and ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter i the angels of.htm

The Essence of Prayer.
... They already possessed the ancient promise to Zacharias: "And I will pour upon the
house ... Moreover, prayer also includes praise and every outpouring of the soul ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the essence of prayer.htm

In what Sense Some Men May be Said to Live Without Sin in the ...
... approval and praise, and which no human being could justly call in question for
the purpose of laying accusation or censure. Such a standard Zacharias and his ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 53 xlviii in what sense.htm

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... and the chant of the Psalms of praise, accompanied with joyous sound of music, as
the drink-offering was poured out. But already the sign of Zacharias was to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

Introduction.
... of Elizabeth (benedictus minor), Mary's Magnificat, the song of Zacharias (benedictus
major ... what we know of the first formulated human prayer and praise we are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/introduction.htm

New Testament Hymns
... spoken by Zacharias, the Nunc dimittis,. ... Certain digressions in the Epistles, in
which formulas of belief or of praise rise to a sure and effective climax, have ...
/.../christian hymns of the first three centuries/iii new testament hymns.htm