his wife was of the daughters of while he executed the priest's Aaron, and her name was Elisa- office before God in the order of beth. his course, 6. Both righteous. Both just, or holy. This means here more than external conformity to the law. It is an honourable testimonial of their piety towards God. Walking in, &c. Keeping the commandments. To walk in the way that God commands is to obey. ¶ Ordinances. Rites and customs which God had ordained, or appointed. These words refer to all the duties of religion, which were made known to them.¶Blameless. That is, no fault or deficiency could be found in them. They were strict, exact, punctual. Yet this, if it had been mere external observance, might have been no proof of piety. Paul, before his conversion, also kept the law externally blameless. Phil. iii. 6. But in the case of Zacharias and Elisabeth, it seems to have been real love to God, and sincere regard for his law. 7. Well stricken in years. Old or advanced in life, so as to render the prospect of having children hopeless. 8. Before God. In the temple where God dwelt by the symbols of his presence. The temple was regarded by the Jews as the house or dwelling of God; and in the first temple, in the most holy place, there was a cloud called the Shechinah, or a visible sign of the presence of God. It was thus before God that Zacharias offer ed incense. 9. According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was. The jewish writers inform us that it was customary for the priests to divide their daily task by lot. To burn incense. Incense is an aromatic, or white resin, procured from trees chiefly in Arabia. It is obtained by making incisions in the tree, and the gum flows out. It was distinguished for a peculiarly pleasant smell when burnt, and was therefore used in ancient worship. It was burnt by the priest twice a day, morning and evening. Ex. xxx. 7. 8. This was the time of the evening incense. The incense used in the temple. was made of stacte, onycha, and galbanum, Exod. xxx. 34, with pure frankincense, and it was not lawful for this compound to be used elsewhere than in the house of God. Into the temple. See Notes on Matt. xxi. 12. The part of the temple where incense was burnt was the holy place. 10. The whole multitude. This was the regular time for evening prayer, and multitudes came up to the temple to worship. Praying without. That is, in the courts around the temple, particularly in the court of the women. 11. An angel. An angel is a messenger sent from God. It had now been about four hundred years since the time of Malachi, and since there had been any divine revelation. During that time the nation was looking for the Messiah; but still with nothing more than the ancient prophecies to direct them. Now that he the right side of the altar 1 of in- | shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name 3 John. cense. was about to appear, God sent his messenger to announce his coming, to encourage the hearts of his people, and to prepare them to receive him. On the right side, &c. The altar of incense stood close by the veil which divided the holy place from the most holy. On the north stood the table of shew-bread. On the south, the golden candlestick. As Zacharias entered, therefore, with his face to the west, the angel would stand on the north, or near the table of shew-bread. It was eighteen inches square, and three feet high. The top, as well as the sides and horns, was overlaid with pure gold, and it was finished around the upper surface with a crown or border of gold. Just below this border four golden rings were attached to each side of the altar, one near each corner. The staves or rods for bearing the altar passed through these rings, and were made of the same wood with the altar itself, and richly overlaid with the same precious metal. Upon this altar incense was burnt every morning and every evening, so that it was literally perpetual. Exod. xxx. 8. Neither burnt-sacrifice, nor meat-offering, nor drink-offering, was permitted upon this altar; nor was it ever stained with blood, except once annually, when the priest made atonement. Lev. xvi. 18. 19. 12. He was troubled. This was an unusual appearance. He was alone, in the presence of God. The appearance was sudden, unexpected, and therefore fearful. 13. Thy prayer is heard. That is, thy prayer for offspring. This, among the Jews, was an object of intense desire. No prospect was more gloomy to them than that of dying childless, so that their name should perish. Special pains, therefore, had been taken in the law, to keep up the names of families by requiring a man to marry his brother's wife. Deut. xxv. 5. 14. At his birth. This does not refer so much to the time of his birth, as to the subsequent rejoicing. Such shall be his character, that he shall be an honour to the family, and many shall rejoice that he lived. Or, in other words, he shall be a blessing to mankind. 15. Shall be great. Shall be eminent, or distinguished as a preacher.¶¶In the sight of the Lord. Greek before the Lord. That is, shall be really or truly great. God shall regard him as such. Shall drink neither wine. Wine was the juice of the grape. The kind of wine commonly used in Judea was a light wine, often not stronger than cider in this country. It was the common drink of all classes of the people. See Notes on John ii. 11. The use of wine was forbidden only to the Nazarite. Num. vi. 3. It was because John sustained this character, that he abstained from the use of wine. Strong drink. It is not easy to ascertain precisely what is meant by this word, but we are certain that it does not mean strong drink in our sense of the term. Distilled spirits were not then known. The art of distilling was discovered by an Arabian chemist in the ninth or tenth century; but distilled liquors are not used by Arabians. They banished them at once, as if sensible of their pernicious influence. Nor are they used in eastern nations at all. Europe and America have been the regions where this poison has been most extensively used; and there it has beggared and ruined millions, and is yearly sweeping thousands unprepared into a wretched eternity. The strong drink among the Jews was probably nothing more than B.C. 6. CHAPTER I. he shall be filled with the Holy | turn the hearts of the fathers to the Ghost, even 1 from his mother's children, and the disobedient 3 to the wisdom of the just; to make womb. ready a people 5 prepared for the Lord. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to 1 Jer. i. 5. 2 John i. 34. fermented liquors, or a drink obtained from fermented dates, figs, and the juice of the palm, or the lees of wine, mingled with sugar, and having the property of Many of the producing intoxication. jewish writers say, that by the word here translated strong drink was meant nothing more than old wine, which probably had the power of producing intoxication. See Notes on Isa. v. 11. Shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, &c. Shall be divinely designated or appointed to this office, and qualified for it by all needful communications of the Holy Spirit. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, is to be illuminated, sanctified, and guided by his influence. In this place the reference is: 1. To the divine intention that John should be set apart to this work, as God designed that Paul should be an apostle from his mother's womb. Gal. i. 15. 2. To an actual fitting of John for the work from the birth, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, as was the case with Jeremiah, Jer. i. 5, and with David, Psa. xxii. 9, 10. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? 3 Or, by. Psa. cxi. 10. Mal. iv. 5, 6. 4 Matt Mark ix. 12. Rom. iv. 21. xi. 14; xix. 26. 51 Pet. ii. 9. and pursued their opposition with great animosity. It was impossible but that this opposition should find its way into families, and divide parents and children. from each other. John came that he might allay these animosities, and produce better feeling. By directing them all to one Master, the Messiah, he would divert attention from the causes of their dif ference, and bring them to union. He would restore peace to their families, and reconcile those parents and children who had chosen different sects, suffering their attachment to sect to interrupt the harmony of their households. The effect of true religion on a family will always be to produce harmony. It attaches all the family to one great Master, and by attachment to him, all minor causes of difference are forgotten. And the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. The disobedient here are the unbelieving, and hence the impious, the wicked. These he would turn to the wisdom of the just, or to such wisdom as the just or pious maniDe-fested; that is, to true wisdom. Jews. 16. Children of Israel. scendants of Israel, or Jacob. Shall he turn. By repentance. He shall call them from their sin, and persuade them to forsake it, and to seek the Lord their God. 17. Shall go before him. Before the Messiah, or the Lord Jesus. The connexion here leads us to suppose that the word him refers to the Lord their God If so, then it will in the previous verse. follow that the Messiah was the Lord God of Israel :-a character abundantly given him in other parts of the New Testament. In the spirit and power of Elias. See Note, Matt. xi. 14. To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. In the time of John the Jews were divided into a number of different See Notes on Matt. iii. 7. They were opposed violently to each other, sects, To make ready a people, &c. To prepare 18. Whereby shall I know this? The for I am an old man, and my wife | performed, because thou believest well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel,' that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be 4 dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be 1 Gen. xv. 8; xvii. 17; xviii, 12. Judg. vi. 36-40. 2 Ver. 26. Dan. viii. 16; ix. 21, 22. 3 Heb. i. 14. 4 Ezek. iii. 26. thing was improbable, and he desired evidence that this would take place. The testimony of an angel, and in such a place. should have been proof enough, but men are slow to believe the testimony of heavenly messengers. As a consequence of not believing, he was struck dumb. 19. I am Gabriel. The word Gabriel is made up of two Hebrew words, and signifies man of God. This angel is mentioned as having been deputed to inform Daniel that his prayers were heard. Dan. viii. 16; ix. 21. ¶ That stand in the presence of God. To stand in the presence of one, is a phrase denoting honour or favour. To be admitted to the presence of a king, or to be with hin, was a token of favour. So to stand before God, signifies merely that he was honoured or favoured by God. He was permitted to come near him, and to see much of his glory. Compare 1 Kin. x. 8; xii. 6; xvii. 1; Prov. xxii. 29. And am sent, &c. The angels are ministering spirits sent forth to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Heb. i. 7, 14. They delight to do the will of God, and one way of doing that will is by aiding his children here; by succouring the afflicted; and by defending those who are in danger. There is no more absurdity or impropriety in supposing that angels may aid them, than there is in supposing that good men may aid one another. And there can be no doubt that it affords high pleasure to the angels of God to be permitted to aid those who are treading the dangerous and trying path which leads to eternity. Holiness is the same as benevolence; and holy not my words, 5 which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; for he beckoned unto them and remained speechless. Rom. iii. 3. 2 Tim. ii. 13. Heb. vi. 18. beings seek and love opportunities to do good to their fellow creatures. In the eye of holy beings, all God's creatures are parts of one great family; and whenever they can do them good, they rejoice in the opportunity, at any sacrifice. These glad tidings. This good news respecting the birth of a son. 20. Because thou believest not, &c. This was both a sign and a judgment; a sign that he had come from God, and that the thing would be fulfilled, and a judgment for not giving credit to what he had said. There is no sin in the sight of God more aggravated than unbelief. When God speaks, man should believe. Nor can he that will not believe escape punishment. God speaks only truth, and we should believe him. God speaks only what is for our good, and it is right that we should suffer if we do not credit what he says. 21. The people waited. That is, beyond the usual time. Marvelled. Wondered. The priest, it is said, was not accustomed to remain in the temple more than half an hour commonly. Having remained on this occasion a longer time, the people became apprehensive for his safety, and wondered what had happened to him. 22. Had seen a vision. The word vision means sight, appearance or spectre, and is commonly applied to spirits, or to beings of another world. When he came out of the temple, it is probable that they suspected that something of this nature had detained him there, and that on inquiry of him he signified by a nod that this was the case. He was unable to speak, and they had no way of "perceiv 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the1 days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin 3 espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the vir gin's name was Mary. 4 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said. Hail, thou that art highly favoured, 5 the 6 Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among 26 And in the sixth month the women. 12 Kin. xi. 5-7. 1 Chron. ix. 25. 2 Gen. XXX. 23. 1 Sam. i. 6. Isa. liv. 1, 4. ing" it but by such a sign. On the word vision, see Notes on Isa. i. 1. For he beckoned unto them. That is, by beckoning unto them, or by a sign, he informed them of what he had seen. 23. As soon as the days of his ministration, &c. As soon as he had fulfilled the duties of the week. It might have | been supposed that the extraordinary occurrence in the temple, together with his own calamity, would have induced him at once to leave this place, and return home. But his duty was in the temple. His piety prompted him to remain there in the service of God. He was not unfitted for burning incense by his dumbness, and it was not proper for him to leave his post. It is the duty of ministers of religion to remain at their work until they are entirely unfitted for it, and unable to serve God in their profession. Then they must retire. But until that time, he that for trifling causes forsakes his post, is guilty of unfaithfulness to his Master. 24. Hid herself. Did not go forth into public, and concealed her condition. This might have been done that she might spend her time more entirely in giving praise to God for his mercies; and that she might have the fullest proof of the accomplishment of the promise, before she appeared in public, or spoke of the mercies of God. 25. Thus. In this merciful manner. To take away my reproach. Among the Jews, a family of children was counted a signal blessing, an evidence of the favour of God. Lev. xxvi. 9. Psa. cxiii. 9; cxxviii. 3. Isa. iv. 1; xliv. 3, 4. To be barren, therefore, or to be destitute of 3 Matt. i. 18. much graced. 4 Or, graciously accepted; or, 5 Dan. ix. 23. 6 Judg. vi. 12. 27. To a virgin espoused, &c. See Matt. i. 18, 19. House of David. Family of David, or descendants of David. 28. Hail. This word of salutation is equivalent to, Peace be with thee, or, Joy be with thee; a form of speech implying that she was signally favoured, and expressing joy at meeting her. Highly favoured. By being the mother of the long-expected Messiah, the mother of the Redeemer of mankind. Long had he been predicted, long had the eyes of the nation been turned to him, and long had his coming been an object of intense desire. To be reckoned among his ancestors was accounted sufficient honour for even Abraham and David. But now the happy individual was designated who was to be his mother; and on Mary, a poor virgin of Nazareth, was to come this honour, which would have rendered infinitely illustrious any of the daughters of Adam, the honour of giving birth to the world's Redeemer, and the Son of God. The Lord is with thee. The word is is not in the original, and the passage may be rendered either, the Lord is with thee, or, the Lord be with thee, implying the prayer of the angel, that all blessings from God might descend and rest upon her. Blessed art thou among women. This passage is equivalent to saying, Thou art the most happy of women. |