Elizabeth’s
name means “ God is my oath “
Elizabeth
was the mother of John the Baptist and
wife of Zechariah and a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus according to
the Gospel of Luke , she was pas normal child bearing age when she conceived and gave birth of to
John
According
to the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 Elizabeth was of the daughters of Aaron . She and her husband Zechariah were
righteous before God , walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the
Lord blameless but Childless ,
Her
husband, Zechariah had been chosen to go the temple and burn incense before the
lord on the this specific day, while in the temple the angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah with a
message from the most High God saying that he and Elizabeth would have a child.
We lean this child’s name was to be John and that john would be the forerunner
of the Messiah
Because Zechariah asked th3ee angel how this could happen . Zechariah became speechless and would remain so until after john’s birth . Zechariah’s time of service ended and he went home to his wife. She conceived and stated “ The lord has done this for me, In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people
Six
months later The angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her whas was going to happen in her life.
After Mary’s encounter with Gabriel and the Holy Spirit, she went to visit her
relative Elizabeth. Scripture tells us
what happened next
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’” (Luke 2:41-45 NIV.)
AS such Elizabeth was the first woman to confess Jesus in the flesh “ (Lockyer, 1988 ) . Indeed she was not just the woman, she was the first person to confess Jesus as the lord
When
it was time for the son’s dedication on the eight days , she stated clearly that
his name was to be John just as the angel Gabriel had told her husband . When
Zechariah was asked the same question , he wrote on a tablet “ his name is John” His mouth was opened and he ban a son of
praise to the god who had kept his oath in their lives.
What can we learn from life of Elisabeth
·
Celebration over comparison
When her younger cousin Mary, who was also miraculously
pregnant, came to visit, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit., Elizabeth
rejoiced. She exclaimed, "Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb! ...And why is this granted to me that the
mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1:42–43).
·
Empowering others: Elizabeth's humble celebration
confirmed Mary's own calling and empowered her to sing the Magnificat, her song
of praise to God. This teaches someone to be a cheerleader for others,
celebrating their blessings and acknowledging God's work in their lives instead
of comparing journeys.
Live a life of
faithfulness and righteousness
·
Obedience over public opinion: Despite
enduring years of hardship and judgment for being barren, Elizabeth and
Zechariah remained obedient to God's commandments. When their son was born,
relatives expected them to name him after his father, Zechariah, in accordance
with tradition. However, Elizabeth stood firm in naming him John, as instructed
by the angel Gabriel, prioritizing obedience to God over conforming to human
expectations (Luke 1:59–61).
· Enduring faith: Elizabeth's life demonstrates
that faithfulness is a lifelong commitment. People learn to trust in God's
goodness and remain steadfast in their devotion, no matter how long the wait or
how difficult the trial.
See your part in
God's larger story
·
Recognize God's plan: Elizabeth was an essential part
of God's larger plan of redemption. Her son, John, was destined to be the
forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus. Her life reminds people that God's
blessings are not just for their own joy but are meant to bless others and
advance His kingdom.
Embrace your calling: Elizabeth's life encourages people to recognize and fulfill their own unique role in God's story. She teaches that no matter the age or circumstances, God can and will use people if they remain faithful.
