John the Baptist's Birth Foretold.—Luke 1:1-23

Notes

1. The fact that Luke states that he had "perfect understanding of all things from the very first," does not at all detract from the inspiration of the narrative. All of the New Testament writers, as well as most of the historical writers of the Old Testament, knew of the things of which they wrote; and yet the historical portion of the Bible, as well as the prophetic, is part of the "all Scripture" which is "given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim. 3:16. Humanity is erring, and perfect truthfulness in a narrative can be assured only by the Spirit of God. Let it be remembered, also, that but a very small portion of the words and acts of Christ are recorded (see John 21:25), and it will be seen that only the Holy Spirit could guide in selecting those portions that were necessary for us to know. Lastly, we cannot distinguish any difference between the writing of prophecy and the recording of certain events of history out of an abundance of matter. The power that tells exactly what will fit the needs of people under all circumstances in all time to come, varies in no particular from that which can tell what is going to take place in all coming time.

2. Zacharias was "of the course of Abia," or Abijah. See 1 Chron. 24:1-19 for the record of the division of the sons of Aaron into twenty-four orders. The course or order of Abijah was the eighth of the twenty-four. The heads of these orders were known as the "chief priests." The order of the service of the priests was determined by lot; and as there were many thousand priests, it was not probable that any priest could serve more than once in his lifetime, and some would never be chosen. Therefore the angel appeared to Zacharias on the occasion of a most important event in his life.

3. "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." The fact that these two were righteous before God, and blameless in their lives, proves that such a thing is possible. Besides, we are all exhorted to "do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation." Phil. 2:14, 15. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Heb. 12:14. This shows that such a course of life is necessary. There will be a company redeemed from among men who will be "without fault before the throne of God." Rev. 14:5. Jude ascribes praise "unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Jude 24. This shows that God, who is able to make us perfect, designs to keep us in that condition before the time comes to bring us into his presence. See also 1 Peter 5:10; Heb. 13:20, 21. This perfection is attained only in Christ (Col. 2:10), but it is the portion of "every man" in Christ (Col. 1:28).

4. In the case of Zacharias a marked instance is given of how God regards those who doubt his word because they cannot understand it. When God speaks, man shows the highest wisdom in believing, and not in doubting, although what is said may not seem consistent from our point of view. Man, with his puny reasoning powers, has no business to talk about the unreasonableness or inconsistency of what God says, who is infinite in wisdom. Faith is, after all, not only the most reasonable thing in the world, but the only reasonable thing. It is the foundation of all knowledge, both of human and divine things. "Through faith we understand," etc. Heb. 11:3. It is by faith that we understand about creation. They who, rejecting the Scripture narrative, build up systems of philosophy, attempting to account for the existence of the earth, are never settled. Their systems are only theories, which are constantly subject to change. Only the one who in faith accepts God's word, has solid ground to rest upon.

5. "I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God." Gabriel seems to occupy the highest position among the angels. It was he who was later sent to announce the birth of Christ. Luke 1:26, 27. He also was sent to make important revelations to the prophet Daniel. Dan. 8:16; 9:21. There can be no doubt but that he is also the one who was subsequently sent to Daniel to make additional communications. See Daniel 10 and 11. In Dan. 10:21 the honor which is given him in heaven is thus stated: "And there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince." Michael is Christ. See Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4:16; John 5:25-29. From this it would seem that Gabriel is Christ's angel, who communicated the wonderful revelations to John on Patmos. See Rev. 1:1; 22:16.