The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is an integral part of the Christmas story and birth of Jesus. We hear the details every Christmas season …
- they were righteous,
- they were childless,
- they were old,
- Zechariah questioned,
- he was struck mute,
- Elizabeth’s baby jumped in her belly at Mary’s arrival,
- Elizabeth spoke a word of affirmation and prophecy over Mary.
It’s all beautiful and amazing to read, each and every year.
Yet the other morning, in the yet dark and stillness of the day, I returned again to read the familiar details as told in Luke and one little detail drew my attention.
“One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.” (Luke 1:8-9, NLT)
“… he was chosen by lot…”
It was common in those days for decisions to be made by casting lots. Today we might equate this as a roll of the dice. There were twenty four order of priests, who took turns serving in the Temple and their turn was determined by the casting of lots. There was a large number of priests and so this privilege most likely only occurred once, one time in a priest’s life.
So was this happenstance? Was Zechariah chosen by accident? Did he just happen to be “in the right place at the right time”?
“We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” (Proverbs 16:33, NLT)
God worked out every detail with precision. He was in the timing, aligning the lots, the angels, the shepherds, the census. the inn, the people, and the women so that His plan would unfold to the world He loved so deeply in utter perfection.
Zechariah, chosen by lot, speaks to me of the very manner in which God works in each of our lives as well. Each day does not occur by accident. There are no coincidences in our lives.
God is sovereignly at work in the lives of His people today as well. Our lives are not randomly playing out for God is in control of every occurrence.
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
– Corrie ten Boom
“Be still and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10, NLT
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Let’s Have Coffee and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday .
The last time we see the “casting of lots” was in Acts 1…then HOLY SPIRIT showed up and praying for God’s perfect will and way became the standard. Always good thought-provoking words here, Joanne.
Well, this is just good to know, Susan.
And Joanne, I always enjoy thinking about all the ways God works in the big picture in the Christmas story (and to think Caesar thought that census was his idea!) to bring about his purposes!
I have always felt drawn to the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Thank you for your discussion here. And I love the Corrie ten Boom quote. I have some other quotes by Ms. ten Boom that I am saving and thinking about too.
Even though we all visit the Christmas stories each year, there is always something new which appears. The Corrie ten Boom has been speaking to my heart a lot these days. May we sit still and trust. Blessings!
“God is sovereignly at work in the lives of His people today as well.” I am SO thankful for this truth. Thanks, Joanne!
I am as well, Lisa. He continues to amaze me as He works. His plans may not always be the same as His plans, but He teaches us to “sit still and trust the engineer.” Blessings!
I love how the Christmas Story shows God bringing his plan together perfectly. Even though to the people at the time it might have seemed unexpected or chance, he knew exactly what he was doing.
Lesley, it is so true. We need to step away from the familiarity of the story and remember these events were happening in real time to real people. May their story teach us to trust God in all He does – even in the unexpected.
Joanne, I loved this post. I love that, though men may think some things are random, nothing is random with God. He ordains every detail, every situation . . . nothing takes Him by surprise or shocks Him. I’m so thankful for this. Especially when life feels out of control. 🙂
Have a beautiful Christmas, my friend!
Jeanne, having received a “surprise” just yesterday which came as a shock, I am so grateful He is never taken by surprise. He sees the beginning from the end and always is sovereignly at work. I so appreciate reading your comment this morning!
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas!
I love thinking about how God has all the details lined up for his glory and our best. Thanks for sharing this post at #PorchStories.
Love how you worded this, Kristin – “God has all the details lined up”. Even the next detail! May we look expectantly for Him to reveal the next detail. xo