A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#And thou shalt have joy and gladness many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:14
The birth of John the Baptist would give joy and gladness to many in Israel for he would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. John would be a special child that would be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ six months before His birth. This was the best news that the angel Gabriel could give to Zacharias in the Temple.
#But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John. Luke 1:13
For Gabriel tells Zacharias to Fear not because his prayer has been answered. His wife Elisabeth will bear him a son who will be named John who will be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior of the world. This is going to be a very wonderful news for unto us a Son is given. John the Baptist will leap for joy in the womb of his mother Elisabeth at the news of Mary giving birth to Jesus miraculously. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
#And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fear fell upon him. Luke 1:12
When Gabriel appeared to Zacharias he was troubled and afraid. This was an answer to the prayers in the temple. God had sent Gabriel to tell him about his son that would be the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are like that in that after we have prayed we get surprised when God moves right away on our behalf. God will move heaven and earth to see that His will is accomplished in our lives and we have nothing to fear but to stand still to see the salvation on the Lord.
#And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Luke 1:11
The arc angel Gabriel was sent to the right side of the altar of incense in answer to prayer. God hears the prayers of the saints and intervenes by moving right away in the circumstances. The scripture says if my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and repent of their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land. That is what God is doing by returning the hearts of the fathers to their children again. Praise God that we serve an on-time God who moves at the appointed times in our lives when we need Him the most. This was the case as the people were looking for a Savior to come and deliver them from Roman rule and establish the Kingdom to Jerusalem.
#And the whole multitude of the people were praying at the time of incense. Luke 1:10
This was a period of intense prayer at the time of incense, for God was about to move in the first advent, and bring the forerunner of the Lord Jesus on the scene. Thus the people were motivated to pray at the time of incense. As we prepare to celebrate the first Advent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we too should be in prayer for families to come together in unity. For unto us a Son is given and a Savior would be born who would save mankind from their sins.
#And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Luke 1:8,9
Zacharias was faithful to the office of the priest's and fulfilled his duty to God to burn incense. The Lord was preparing him for the office of the priesthood with a child, for the Angel Gabriel was about to appear before him with the great news that Elisabeth was going to bare a man-child in her old age.
#And they had no child because that Elisabeth was barren and they both were now well stricken in years. Luke 1:7
I have seen God open many a barren womb, and it was no problem for God to open the womb of Elisabeth in her old age. The promise that it would happen left Zacharias dumb and unable to speak until it happened when the Angel Gabriel told him. All things are possible if you only believe and wait only upon the Lord for He alone is my rock and salvation, So never mind what the doctor may have told you, just wait on the Lord and put all your trust in Him.
#And they he were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord Blameless. Luke 1:6
Zacharias hand Elisabeth were both righteous before the Lord walking in all the commandments and ordinances blamelessly. The would be the uncle and aunt of the Lord Jesus Christ who would give birth to the forerunner of the Lord, John the Baptist. John would be the last prophet of the order of Elijah.
#There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Luke 1:5
Dr. Luke goes into detail about the family history of Zacharias and Elisabeth to show the link between Christ and Adam. As Jesus is the Son of man and worthy to take the office of the High Priesthood since He is a priest forever after the order of Melchezidek. He now sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven interceding for the saints on high. We will find out about His reign and right to the tribe of Judah, being a descendant of King David. So let us enjoy the lesson and pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth that sets us free.
#The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen, (Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.)
Paul wanted the Colossian believers to remember his bonds. For him faithfully endured the affliction in prison to preach the mystery of Christ. Grace be with all of us and thank God for Tychicus and Onesimus who wrote this epistle for Paul while he was in bonds, for we are better because of it. Let us rejoice in the Lord always giving thanks to Him for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.