”In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth. They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.“
Luke 1:5-7 AMP
Her name is Elizabeth. It means “Oath of God.” Her very name is a promise of God. God is our oath keeper. He will not fail in any of His promises. Did she cling to the meaning of her name? For years and decades one prayer has gone seemingly unanswered. “Lord we ask for a child to hold and rock.” But now that prayer was lost in the clouds. She was FAR advanced in years. She was barren.
Elizabeth would have been part of the congregation who was praying outside in the temple courts at the hour of the incense burning. It was her husband officiating over the altar of incense. The previous days coals still glowed while Zechariah stirred them into a flame. It’s smoke would ascend. The people would pray as their prayers rose like the smoke from the incense.
”And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb (Christ), each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of fragrant incense, which are the prayers of the saints (God’s people).“
Revelation 5:8 AMP
”Another angel came and stood at the altar. He had a golden censer, and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints (God’s people) on the golden altar in front of the throne. And the smoke and fragrant aroma of the incense, with the prayers of the saints (God’s people), ascended before God from the angel’s hand.“
Revelation 8:3-4 AMP
Elizabeth observed the smoke rise. After all these years was she still praying for a child? Or had that prayer dissolved along with her ability to conceive? She had been the topic for many a wagging tongue through the decades. The gossip had flown, “Elizabeth and Zechariah must have committed some unspoken sin for them to be childless for so long.” But the peoples assumptions were wrong. In God’s eyes they were both righteous. God approved of their life. They were blameless before Him. And on this day God’s answer to their long ago prayer would be answered. It was time.
”But when the set time had come…” Galatians 4:4
Their son would be the one to prepare the way of the Lord.
“When his time on duty at the temple came to an end, he went back home to his wife. Shortly after his return, Elizabeth became pregnant. She avoided public contact for the next five months. “I have lived with the disgrace of being barren for all these years. Now God has looked on me with favor. When i go out in public with my baby, I will not be disgraced any longer.”” Luke 1 23-25 THE VOICE BIBLE
She didn’t Facebook it, or instagram it, or tweet it. She didn’t go to the gossipers and shout, “I told you so.” No this quiet soul remained in seclusion reflecting on the Lord’s goodness. God did take away her disgrace among the people, and He was enough for her during those first five months of her pregnancy. She didn’t need the affirmations of the people. God had blessed her with an amazing gift only He could give. So she grasped hold of the GIFT GIVER, OATH KEEPER, and honored Him by sitting at His feet worshipping. She breathed in the fulfillment of His promise.
Can you replace Elizabeth’s name with your name? Maybe your arms are empty? Maybe your life feels a disgrace?
God’s oath to all of us:
”I am passionately in love with God because he listens to me. He hears my prayers and answers them.“
Psalms 116:1 TPT
”
To the Elizabeth in our life!
Exactly
We hold onto our Oath Keeper
Amen !!