In the days of Herod, the king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and they both were now well advanced in years. Luke 1:5-7
Zacharias and Elizabeth, both descended from Aaron and of the tribe of Levi, were childless — something counted as a curse and judgment of God in those days. But the barrenness of Elizabeth was not a judgment because of sin in their lives, for they were both counted righteous in God’s eyes through faith in the promise of God to send one who would “redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Psalm 130:8), and they faithfully lived in accord with the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. Instead, God planned to use them to fulfill His promise to send a prophet who would prepare the way for the Lord’s coming (cf. Mal. 4:5-6).
Grant me faith, O God, to accept Your plan for my life not as a curse but as a blessing and a part of Your eternal purpose to save lost souls. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the Barbour Simplified KJV, copyright 2022, 2025. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.]