“With Faith and Patience, His Blessings Arrive” 

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​“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named  Zecharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Ahron (Aaron), and her name was Elisheba (Elizabeth). And they were both righteous before Elohim, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of HaShem blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before G-d in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zecharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharis: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisheba shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name Yochanan (John). 

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And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to HaShem their G-d. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for HaShem. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this, for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of G-d; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

 

 

Book of Lukos/Luke 1:5-25   

 

 

Elohim’s timing is always spot on. We must rest in patience for His timing. In the case of Zechariah and Elisheba (Elizabeth), their patience paid off though it took a while for their prayer to be answered. This is why the reaction of Zechariah to the announcement of Elizabeth’s pregnancy is understandable and relatable. After all, they are merely human. No matter how pious and upright the couple remained, they may have given up any hope to have children of their own and most probably accepted their fate. However, Elohim had never given up on them! Moreover, nothing is impossible with Elohim; “For with G-d nothing shall be impossible.” (Book of Lukos/Luke 1:37). 

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Though Elisheba was already past child-bearing age, Elohim granted her the gift of birth to a special person with a special mission: Yochanan (John) the Baptist. This gospel passage should really give us hope. In Elohim's timing, all things will be made righteous, beautiful and true. In His time, our shame and sorrows shall come to nought. In His time, the world shall be fully restored in His glory as justice and peace reign.