Happy New Year for Elizabeth (Part 2)

Zechariah - Prophet, husband of Elizabeth and father of John the Baptist

Elizabeth heard a commotion and ran to put the meal in the oven.  Zechariah was coming up the road from the Temple and would be hungry.  But as he came into view, he was accompanied by Micah, one of the young scribes in training.  They both looked frightened and excited.  Something had happened.

Angel Appears Before Zechariah (Image Source: Fran Kramer)

When he saw her, Zechariah didn’t give her his usual affectionate greeting.  Micah blurted out, “Reb Zachariah has had a vision and can’t speak!  He wrote a few words to us as he came out from offering the sacrifices, but we’re not sure what it means!”

Elizabeth dismissed Micah and took her husband to a cool, quiet room to rest, deciding that explanations could wait until he had had some refreshment and could collect himself.  After some dinner and relaxation, Zechariah made signs and drew some pictures to try to convey to Elizabeth what had happened.  She managed to piece together that he had seen an angel who promised...well, what?  That their prayers were finally answered and that they would have a son?  How could this be possible, after all this time?  And why was God sending a special messenger?

That wasn’t all.  The angel told them that the baby must be named John and was to live in a particular way, because he was to be set aside for a special job.  Zechariah would not be able to speak until the baby was born and given his name.  Since Zechariah couldn’t speak, all the explanations and announcements would fall to Elizabeth.  What did it all mean?