Hope for Barrenness
Part 1: Hope In Barrenness
Luke 1:5-25
On this first Sunday of the Advent Season, we begin our new journey of faith into the circumstances surrounding the birth of our Lord.
This is the time of the year where we become nostalgic as we listen to familiar old-time favorite hymns such as my favorite “O Holy Night.
I love that song. It’s been performed by such singers as Nat King Cole, Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby, Martina McBride, Mercy Me, Carrie Underwood and Josh Groban.
Now, there are two things that caught my attention about this song and the 1st is this: This carol was inspired by the story of the shepherds out in the field in Luke chapter 2.
“O holy night the stars are brightly shining, it is the NIGHT of our dear Savior’s birth.”
And Luke says “… there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by NIGHT” (Luke 2:8)
And then the song declares “O hear the ANGEL VOICES”, and Luke tells us “suddenly there was with the angel A MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:13-14)
So that’s the first thing that caught my attention the song was inspired by shepherds and the angels in the field. But then there was this phrase in the song that stood out to me:
“A Thrill of HOPE the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new glorious morn.”
And the more I thought about it, the more I realized… they got that spot-on! HOPE is the message of the Christmas story. And if you take hope out of Christmas, the whole story becomes meaningless. The birth of Christ is the birth of hope… a thrill of hope.
“Thrill” means a piercing and penetrating feeling of excitement and pleasure.
“Hope” means a confident expectation of something good to come.
So put together, a “thrill of hope” means a piercing and penetrating feeling of excitement for something good is about to happen.
That’s what Christmas ought to bring in us year after year… a thrill of hope. For us who love God and trust His word, there is always a thrill of hope.
Our Advent series this year takes us through the gospel of Luke as he tells us about the people and their circumstances surrounding the birth of Christ.
Today, we are going to study the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth in this message entitled “Hope in Barrenness.”
“Barrenness” is defined as (thefreedictionary.com):
The state of having no children or being unable to have children (usually of a women).
Unproductive or incapable of producing fruit (plants)
Unproductive or incapable of growing vegetations (land).
The quality of yielding nothing of value
Lacking in liveliness or interest
In Biblical times, one of the worst conditions that could befall someone was to be barren (infertile) physically. In fact, it is a major theme of Scripture, to see how someone (or a couple) who was once infertile, has had their situation changed by God. In each reference to barrenness, they considered it a terrible fate, if not at all, a curse!
Yet, in God’s eyes, He lets nothing go to waste (even our suffering). The same truth which we draw out of the Bible is still applicable to God’s people today, whether individuals, families or larger communities: There is hope in barrenness. Christmas brings the greatest hope in our darkest situations.
Barrenness is not just a physical issue. It is also a spiritual one. There are times in our Christian life when we feel very barren. Prayer is lifeless, love is cold, faith is weak, too tired and lazy to go to church, each grace in the garden of our heart languishes and droops. We are like flowers in the hot sun, desperately needing the refreshing shower. In such a condition what are we to do? We need to have a fresh vision of hope.
The unraveling of God’s plan of salvation to mankind through the birth of His Son begins with this righteous and devout couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth, who have been barren for years, that somehow they have given up hope for having a child. Let us see their lives and learn four lessons on how we can gain hope in our seemingly “barren” situations.
1. God Remembers our Perseverance (v.5-7
Luke doesn't begin the story of the first Christmas like fiction. He doesn't say, "Once upon a time." Rather, he gives us history. So he begins in verse 5,
5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
Just a priest, not anything but a certain priest. Not particularly notable coz there were 18,000 priests in Palestine at the time. He was just one priest who lived somewhere out in a village somewhere and carried on his priestly duties like his 18,000 other priests.
His name, Zechariah, appears on behalf of 30 different people in Scripture, a very common name, but a wonderful name which means "God remembers" in Hebrew. One of the things the Jews liked to celebrate was the fact that God remembered everything about them and that was a part of His care over them.
Elizabeth his wife also came from a priestly family, a daughter of a priest. Elizabeth is a beautiful name, it means "My God Keeps His Oath," or "My God is faithful," or some variant of that. It celebrates the covenant-keeping faithfulness of God. So God remembers and God keeps His promise. Wow!
But did you know that Elizabeth, according to Exodus 6:23, is the very name of Aaron's wife? She was named after the wife of the original high priest Aaron. That tells you something else about this family that she came from. These are people who are serious about their religion. These are people who are serious about priestly function.
6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.
This is where the word piety comes in. Piety is defined as reverence for God or devout obedience to God’s commands.
Zechariah and Elizabeth were models of piety. Luke tells us that they didn’t merely go through the motions of religion; they backed up their outward compliance with inward obedience. Unlike the religious leaders whom Jesus called hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not stop with the letter of the law. Their obedience was from the heart, and that is why they are called “righteous in the sight of God.”
As far as God was concerned they were right with Him and God doesn't look on the outward appearance, God looks in the heart.
Brethren, to be a Christian that really pleases God is not just going through the motion of church-going. God looks at the hearts of men.
To God, real-heart obedience is better than religion.
Prov. 21:3, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
To choose to live righteous and devout Christian lives in a very irreligious and unholy society is so hard and radical. But it’s the one that pleases God the most and get’s his attention.
2 Chron. 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
God remembers our devotion, commitment, and piety towards Him. That’s where hope begins… when we live fully committed to God and His commandments. When we choose to please God rather than men, it awakens hope.
They were models of Psalm 119:1,
“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.”
If anyone should be marked out for special blessings and divine favor, it would be these two, a genuine first-century Jewish model couple of devoutness to God and piety. But one of the main proofs of God’s blessing was missing—they were childless.
7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. (ESV)
We might expect God to bless such faithful and blameless servants by giving them children, but God did not, somehow. The childless state of Zechariah and Elizabeth was probably perplexing for them and the people around them to understand. And as the years passed, I am sure everyone became confused. Why?
You want to know the most severe shame that a Jewish woman would ever bear was to be what? Childless. They have this common belief that if you sin God can shut your womb and you will pay, Deuteronomy 28, there are curses, and when God curses you it can show up in barrenness.
They had been praying about this persistently and for years (v.13) and still nothing happens. No pregnancy, no word from God, no prophecy. God was silent. They are in what seems a hopeless situation due to no fault of their own.
This is one of those perplexing situations in our Christian life when God seems silent despite of our faithfulness to Him.
As godly as they were, they bore the stigma. But Luke wants us to know that her barrenness had nothing to do with sin in their life. That's why verse 6 is there. But it had everything to do with something God was planning.
This is not divine punishment, their barrenness, this is divine planning.
You know, their situation humanly was hopeless. And that's exactly where God often prefers it.
But despite their barrenness, they continue to serve God blamelessly.
8 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
2. God Responds to our Prayers (v.11-15)
In His own timing and plan, God responds to Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s prayers. Prayers that have been offered in piety, humility and sincerity of hearts.
11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was startled (lit. terrified) and was gripped with fear. 13 But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
Gabriel’s words were straightforward, “your prayers were answered and Elizabeth is going to be pregnant. The Greek word for prayer implies that this is a long-standing petition.
Imagine the surprise of Zechariah. They had been so deeply burdened by this barrenness, asking God...and I know they were asking God probably mostly for a son. Why? Because he wanted to pass on the priesthood. And now God answers them.
And Gabriel instructed them to name their child John (Yohan), which means God is gracious. This name is saying that God is about to explode upon the world His grace.
And what happened next in notice v.14-15
14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
This isn't something to be sad for, this is something to be glad for. Hope really brings joy! There’s going to be joy at his birth. There's going to be joy not only on your part, there's going to be joy on the part of a lot of people. You're going to have joy.
That's a standard word for joy (Gk. Chara). You're going to have gladness (Gk. Agalliasis). It basically means highest joy, joy in the highest, or supreme joy. You're going to have not just joy, but the highest joy and not only you but many are going to rejoice at his birth, many.
So when Elizabeth had the child, the neighbors, and friends, everybody rejoiced (v.58). But when John grew up and preached, a whole nation rejoiced. And when the Messiah whom he announced came, the whole world rejoiced. Joy to the world the Lord is come!
Brethren, never lose hope because God answers prayers offered in faith and humility.That’s one of the fundamental articles of our faith, that we believe in the prayer-answering God. He commands us to ask, seek and knock and He promised to answer.
Doesn’t this awaken hope in us who are going through some seasons of “barrenness” in life?
It might be a child, restoration of health, or relationship, a financial breakthrough, some forms of miracles, whatever it is, let hope be awakened in you today knowing that God answers our prayers according to His wise and perfect plans. Amen?
3. God Reacts to our Perfidy (v.18-20)
Perfidy is defined as “deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; doubt; treachery.”
Be careful not to be faithless about God and His word.
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” 19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Translated into our modern language: ”I mean, this is ridiculous, what makes you think I'm supposed to believe this?”
He could have said, "I'm overwhelmed, sir. I...why would you...why me? Would you pass my thanks on to God? But he didn't. He was a skeptic. "How can I be sure of this? I'm old and she's old, this can't happen. Miracles don't happen. I don't believe you.”
He prays all those years for a son. God gives him an answer and he doesn't believe it. Perfidiously, he asks, how can I be sure of this?
Luke tells us that Zechariah did not believe what Gabriel said, that is why God disciplined him by making him mute and dumb. He was in a spot almost just like Abraham but did not respond like Abraham, of whom Paul said in
Romans 4:19-21, "Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
Zechariah did waver in unbelief. So God shut him up and that was an every day, every moment reminder of his sin of unbelief. And when people said, "What happened to you?" He would have to write out, "I was made mute by an angel because I didn't believe when God spoke to me.”
Wouldn't it be good if God did that to people who didn't believe His Word? Then we'd know who they were. The problem is, we would go in and out of being mute most of our lives, I'd think.
God shut him up. His normal duty was to teach the Old Testament and tell people about God and give them counsel and wisdom. That's what a priest did during most of his year. He couldn't tell this wonderful story. He couldn't do anything but bear the shame of having been made deaf and dumb by an act of judgment from God.
Elizabeth (in v.45) commends Mary in a way that sounds like a criticism of her husband's unbelief. She says, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
4. God Realizes His Promise
Despite Zechariah’s unbelief, God still fulfills His promise.
After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (v.24-25)
Zechariah's unbelief was preceded by a life of godliness and followed by a life of godliness. Zechariah's unbelief is in the same category as Peter's three denials of Christ: it is a temporary lapse—not a way of life. Look at the billing Zechariah and Elizabeth get in verse 6: "They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." (We will come back to this in a minute to see if it means sinless perfection.) At least, this means Zechariah was not a chronic unbeliever. Not only that, verse 13 says that God was answering Zechariah's prayer when he promised him a son. So Zechariah was a righteous and prayerful man. But even the best of men fall into unbelief now and then. None of us trusts God's promises perfectly from day to day.
But thanks be to God, though we may have to endure some chastisement for our unbelief, God does not cast us away, if we repent and set our hope afresh on him. When Zechariah followed through obediently and named the child John, verse 64 says, "Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed and he spoke, blessing God." And verse 67 goes on, "And (Zechariah) his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied saying, 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people.'" That's the last we ever hear of Zechariah. He's there righteous and blameless, then unbelieving, then blessing God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
So the lesson for us here is that we must not despair if we fall into unbelief and pessimism. Instead, we must repent, accept God's forgiveness in Christ, and go on blessing the Lord—even more fervently because of His great mercy to us in our sinfulness.
Sources:
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-not-to-talk-to-an-angel
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/42-3/zacharias-the-righteous-priest
https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/42-4/god-breaks-his-silence-the-revelation-to-zacharias
https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/spiritually-barren-people-parishes-gods-solution?fbclid=IwAR12SGw4sO1SqKCnY8QhPXck6s8RuB_GWqIeLoOUxjcJByxZQtm-oO0AE50