Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-04

| Luke, l6.
We are to study during the coming
quarter the Representative Men and
Women of the New Testament" Chris
tianity was Graded in Judaism, where
the earliest religious influence and in
struction has always centered about the
home. In our opening study for the
coming three months we enter the por-
tails of pious Jewish family. We GEN.
ter our thoughts upon GachariaS, who
was priest of the course Of AbiJah who
was the ancestral head of the eighth
course of priests who served in the
Temple for two weeks every year, and
also his wife, Elisabeth.
They lived in comparative comfort in
their mountain home, that, according
to tradition, was located in Ain Karin,
about five miles from Jerusalem. The
priests received their share of the dues
paid by the nation and were exempt
from taxation and war service, Both
had established by their family records
their common descent from Aaron.
They eXamplified the highest ideals of
their national faith, for they were both
righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the
Lord blameleSS.'
When the Autumn period of his serv-
ice arrived Zacharias knew that the
highest privilege of his prieStly career
would be his because the lot had fallen
upon Zacharias to officiate, one that he
could do but once in his lifetime, to
perform the highest mediatorial act,
symbolizing the accepted prayers OF Is
rael. When ZachariaS left home that
October day he was happy in the privi-
lege that had come to him, but both
ylH VI
Elisabeth, were filled with sorrow that
they had no children to rejoice with
them over the honor that had come to
ZachariaS. Although his greatest weeks
service was about to be performed in
the Temple, it made his separation for
the coming week more sorrowful than
usual. For years the burden of their
prayers had been that Jehovah would
give unto them child, because, aside
from the sentimental desire for chill
dren in the home, they believed that
the reproach of being childless was
heavy punishment from the hand Of
Jehovah.
The Priest Surprised.
During the supreme hour of his life
the righteous ZachariaS was surprised
to see another person standing on the
right side of the altar. The presence
of the TRANSPORTED LeVite that stood
facing him at the place of honor filled
his soul with almost instant agitation.
There were about 10000 priests, but the
Jewish ritual required the priest to be
alone in that eventful hour while the
people stood praying without the sacred
precincts in the Temple court. No Won
der he was troubled. His eyes beheld
what few men had ever seen and no
ordinary priest had ever before been
permitted to see in that holy chamber.
The appearance of the messenger from
the Everything God had been very rare
since the days of Malachi Moses had
trembled when he saw the burning bush
and realized that he was standing in
Gcd'S presence. Elijah was moved with
fear when he heard the still, small
voice of God. The drawing near of the
supernatural is apt to unnerve us to-
day. The priest, pleading for the peo-
pie, was surprised when Gods messen-
ger whispered to him, 'Thy prayer is
heard" God through special repre-
sentative assured Zacharias that the
reproach upon his wife would be re-
moved and their hearts filled with Joy.
The silence of the bells upon the
priests garments, united with the long
delay of Zacharias in finishing the sac
rifices, had filled the multitude with
alarm. Finally he emerged from per-
forming his duty He lifted his hands
to pronounce the benediction, but he
was speeches.. The promised gift of
son, who was to be named John, an
abbreviation Of Jehovah-honan, mean
ing Gods gift, had been too good to be
true, and Zacharias asked for sign
that his promised son would be
equipped from his birth with the Holy
Spirit and live the life of a Nazarene.
He doubted that the son would be given
and that he would be great in the sight
of the Lord He questioned the assur-
ance that through his promised son
prophecy would be revived. In that
brief interview Zacharias was given
sign, one that prohibited his serving
longer as priest, for he was stricken
with dumbness.
The people had detected the evidence
OF some supernatural experience, just
as the two attendants, who returned to
light the lamps, which had been left
unlighted, observed the appearance, agi-
tation, and attitude of Zacharias. They
had tarried in wonder while the multi
tude waited anxiously for the priests
return. They realized, as did the peo-
pie by this changed expression and his
sudden loss of speech that he had seen
a spiritual vision while he was engaged
In the performance of his duty. He
dismissed them with signs.
The Promise Fulfilled.
Zacharias returned TO his mountain
home Although he was silent in
speech, the aged saints had lived so
long together that it did not require
any vocal communication between the
priest and his wife for her to under
stand the joyful news given to Zacha-
rias within the Temple by servant
OF Jehovah. The sacred writer has
passed over in silence the first interview
and much that zacharias told his noble
wife. Luke, however, takes us back to
the prenatal days which preceded the
birth of John the Baptist so that we
might understand the fact, that in the
beginning of his career, We must go
back of parentage and see the presence,
purpose, and power of Jehovah.
Luke tells us about the visit of Mary,
the virgin selected to be the Mother of
the Lord Jesus, and the inspiration that
enabled Elizabeth to recognize Mary
as the Messiah's Mother and speak the
first benediction of the New Testament.
The mutual joy that filled their hearts
could only be understood by mothers