God Chooses a Family for His Son
During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. Luke 1:5-10 Common English Bible (CEB)
Impressive lineage, exemplary behavior. Yet inexpressible sorrow: they have no child. But wait! God is about to do something amazing!
Some estimate that there were some 18,000 priests and Levites divided into 24 divisions. Offering incense was the highest of honors. A priest could not offer incense a second time until all the other priests had had a turn; many never had the opportunity at all. Zechariah (his name means “Yahweh remembers”), is old. Finally, he is chosen: by lottery. Yet is anything random when God has His hand on it?
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O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark street shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
