Voice in the Wilderness
69
to the Son of God is the one chosen to open the purposes of God to
sinful men.
Zacharias had expressed doubt of the angel’s words. He was not to
speak again until they were fulfilled. “Behold,” said the angel, “thou
shalt be dumb, ... until the day that these things shall be performed,
because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their
season.” It was the duty of the priest in this service to pray for the
pardon of public and national sins, and for the coming of the Messiah;
but when Zacharias attempted to do this, he could not utter a word.
Coming forth to bless the people, “he beckoned unto them, and
remained speechless.” They had waited long, and had begun to fear,
lest he had been cut down by the judgment of God. But as he came
forth from the holy place, his face was shining with the glory of God,
“and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple.” Zacharias
communicated to them what he had seen and heard; and “as soon as
the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own
house.”
Soon after the birth of the promised child, the father’s tongue was
loosed, “and he spake, and praised God. And fear came on all that
dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad
throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all they that heard them
laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this
[100]
be!” All this tended to call attention to the Messiah’s coming, for
which John was to prepare the way.
The Holy Spirit rested upon Zacharias, and in these beautiful words
he prophesied of the mission of his son: