Through the Bible - Deuteronomy 34, Luke 1:39-56
Good morning,
The book of Matthew was written by a tax collector, an accountant. Matthew went into great detail on some of the "transactions" of Jesus life. The book of Mark (to me) was more like a 1 1/2 hour movie (about the time it would take to read through it in one sitting). It gave more of an overview of Jesus life.
Luke was written by a doctor. Doctors are known to look at the symptoms and make a diagnosis of what is causing the symptoms. What the underlying causes of the conditions are and to give a prescription for something that will cure what ails us.
In the first few verses of the book Luke points out three things. 1) his account is the product of thorough, careful and patient research (v.3), 2) he has many written sources (v.1) and 3) he has many eye witnesses that he can go to to confirm his work (v.2).
For today's verse we'll go to Luke chapter 1.
Luke 1:16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, '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 the Lord." NKJV
Luke is the only gospel writer who recounts the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. I believe that one of the reasons that he does so is to reveal to the people and to us that the problem with the people of Israel was not one of the economy or of government oppression. The doctor sees the condition of the people and sees that they have a severe heart condition. Their hearts have been in the wrong place.
Luke is the only gospel writer who recounts the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist. I believe that one of the reasons that he does so is to reveal to the people and to us that the problem with the people of Israel was not one of the economy or of government oppression. The doctor sees the condition of the people and sees that they have a severe heart condition. Their hearts have been in the wrong place.
The verese quoted is from Malachi, the last prophetic words from the Old Testament books. After 400 years of silence, God is raising up a prophet to pick up where Malachi had left off. To turn the hearts of the people to God, and of fathers to their children and the children to their fathers.
John the Baptist would do this by taking a bold, uncompromising stand for God, speaking of the need for repentance, turning from sin and the pursuit of the world and back towards God. Preparing people to hear Jesus message when He would arrive on the scene.
Is it any different today? What would happen if our focus was less on accumulating stuff and portfolios and more time was spent on seeking God? What would happen to family life? Where would our focus be?
Not only on God, but on our children, our families.
Where is your heart today?
In Christ,
Mike
Luke 1:5-26
John's Birth Announced to Zacharias
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, '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 the Lord."
18 And Zacharias said to the angel,"How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."
NKJV
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, '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 the Lord."
18 And Zacharias said to the angel,"How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
19 And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people."
NKJV
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