Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Zechariah!
The Questions
1) What was the significance of Zechariah’s son’s name?
2) Why were the people filled with fear when Zechariah began to speak again?
3) Why did John stay in the wilderness?
Luke 1:57-80
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her his great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No. He will be called John.”
61 Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” 62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. 63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited
and provided redemption for his people.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 just as he spoke by the mouth
of his holy prophets in ancient times;
71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of those who hate us.
72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers
and remembered his holy covenant—
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham.
He has given us the privilege,
74 since we have been rescued
from the hand of our enemies,
to serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness
in his presence all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called
a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord
to prepare his ways,
77 to give his people knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the dawn from on high will visit us
79 to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80 The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Original Intent
1) What was the significance of Zechariah’s son’s name?
The meaning of the name Zechariah is “Yahweh remembers.” The meaning of the name John is “God has been gracious.” Verse 61 hints that children were commonly named after a relative. Throughout Scripture, names hold significant symbolic weight. The meaning of names often implied the character or job of that person. Based on the meaning, it is easy to see why God, through the angel Gabriel, instructed Zechariah to give his son the name John. Before, and during, the life of Zechariah, the Jewish people had been waiting thousands of years for the coming Messiah to rescue them from captivity. God used the specificity of Zechariah’s name, “Yahweh remembers” to declare that He did indeed remember them. He was coming to rescue them and He had not forgotten them. John’s name is the forerunner of that graciousness, Christ Himself. John’s life was intended to prepare people for the imminent coming of the Messiah. The fullness of God’s graciousness is revealed in Jesus Christ, to whom John was a forerunner.
2) Why were the people filled with fear when Zechariah began to speak again?
We see two responses to Zechariah’s ability to speak again. For those who were gathered at John’s naming ceremony, the Bible records the people as being “amazed” (verse 63). The Greek word here implies wonder or being awe-struck, like seeing first-hand something spectacular. In verse 65, we read “fear came on all the neighbors” and the word was spread across the land resulting in people asking, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.” (verse 66). The same word for “fear” here is also used in Luke 7 when Jesus raises a widow’s son, which resulted in the people recognizing the miracle as only possible through God, for which they glorified Him with their praise.
The people may have been stunned at Zechariah’s abrupt restoration of speech. Perhaps they, like the audience in Luke 7, recognized the miraculous nature of this event. Or maybe, it was what Zechariah said rather than the fact that he talked again. Whatever the reason, it was clear this child was unusual, set apart for God’s divine purposes, which should make any of us stand in awe of God and His mighty deeds!
3) Why did John stay in the wilderness?
The New Testament Commentary states that John chose to follow the example of the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, by living in a desolate area. John knew from a young age that he had a special mission from God; he was set apart on purpose for a specific purpose. By literally distancing himself from the community, he was able to prepare himself for the task at hand, and the fulfillment of his calling, because he fully surrendered himself to God and His Spirit. God would be John’s counselor and teacher and equipper. His purpose was so singular, he simply couldn’t afford the constant distraction of everyday life as he prepared for the purpose of going before the Savior of the world!
Everyday Application
1) What was the significance of Zechariah’s son’s name?
In modern times, as in biblical times, names still carry weight and value. People often name their children after themselves or a relative. My grandfather named my father and also one of his half-sisters after himself (Nicholas and Nicolette). Why do we do it? Because we love the name so much? Because we know the meaning of the name and want to brand our children with it? Whatever the reason, names have always been important because life itself is significant and precious; we want our children to grow up and own their identity. Consider yourself, not just the name you call yourself, but the identity you own. How do you frequently identify yourself? Fat? Stupid? Beautiful? Wise? Funny? Too much? Delighted over? The names we give ourselves speak volumes of how much truth we believe about God. If we believe the Lord is fully good, wholly intentional, and loving, we must also believe we, as His created ones, are precious and honored.
2) Why were the people filled with fear when Zechariah began to speak again?Imagine your pastor has planned a trip to the mountains as a study getaway. He tells everyone goodbye as he goes, but when he returns he cannot utter a word. Would you assume that he contracted some sort of virus that attacked his vocal chords? (That would probably be my natural reaction.)
Now imagine that, at the very moment input is needed for the use of a large donation, he bursts forth with all kinds of ideas! Would you be frightened? Would you think he was pulling a prank? Or would you see it as the work of the Lord?
God does work in mysterious ways, and it would do us good to remember that (speaking to myself here). Not everything is explainable; not everything obeys the laws of nature. Sometimes there is just no other explanation for it than: Miracle. And for people who think they have it all under control, that’s terrifying! Consider your response to God’s might, His authority, and power. Do you cringe and want to run? Or do you kneel in awe-filled humility and praise?
3) Why did John stay in the wilderness?
Sometimes when a person feels a calling from God they run from it, like Jonah.
But for the heart intent on obeying the voice of the Lord, the call is so weighty and important that it becomes absolutely necessary to have extensive time alone with God to prepare. Paul spent three years in the Arabian Desert before launching into full-time ministry that would define the rest of his life. (Galatians 1:17) Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before God knew he was ready to answer the call as Deliverer for the Hebrews enslaved in Egypt. (Exodus 3) Jesus was also led into the desert before His ministry on earth. (Matthew 4)
John (the Baptist) was not afraid of God’s call on his life. He took it seriously and took steps to willingly surrender his plans to God. May we all have a heart like John’s! Take intentional time to get away, be still, and surrender to the Lord’s voice in the middle of your busy, everyday life.
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Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Zechariah!
Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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