Have you ever been interested in a book or movie series and just can’t wait until the next installment in the series is released? It can be hard to wait, can’t it? I wonder if that is how the people of Israel felt as they waited for the Messiah to come.
Yesterday we read about God’s directions to the people of Israel before the commencement of a 400 year period of no recorded revelation from God. There would be many years of trial for the people of Israel between the days of Malachi and the days of Jesus. They would face wars and revolt and be ruled by Greeks and Romans. Disobedience to God, wickedness and corruption would persist. How could the worship of God be preserved and not perverted? How could the knowledge of God remain?
Finally, after 400 years of human joys and miseries, a page in history turns. And like a curtain being pulled away to reveal the next scene in a play, the New Testament writers disclose to us a stage full of new characters. And though there are the expected array of heroes and villains, we are relieved to see many faithful followers of God filling the scene. Luke introduces us to the first characters in his gospel this way:
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years. (Luke 1:5-7 WEB)
Well, it seems like someone was listening to what God said through the prophet Malachi! Here is a faithful Levite and his wife. They have reverence for God, are reading his laws, and are putting them into practice. Since Zacharias is a priest, he would also be teaching the people about God and his laws and preparing them for the Messiah’s coming.
Notice, too, that Zacharias has been faithful to his wife, Elizabeth, just as Malachi had admonished, even though she is barren. We learn later that he has been praying for her. (Luke 1:13, Genesis 25:21) It appears that while the people of Israel have been waiting for the Messiah, Elizabeth and Zacharias have also been waiting and persevering through their own personal trial of barrenness. This time of waiting must have been very difficult for them both, since in that culture, barrenness was considered a sign of God’s displeasure. But we know that God was not displeased with Zacharias and Elizabeth, because the text says so. It is encouraging, then, to see how Zacharias and Elizabeth have responded to this personal trial with persevering faith and joyfully service.
Today, many of us may be waiting for the return of the Messiah through similar circumstances. Like the people of Israel, our world is full of wars and revolts, corruption and disobedience to God’s laws. At the same time, we may also be facing our own personal trials. We may ask, “How can we persevere through our own personal trials as simultaneously there are national and world problems?”
The prophet Malachi had an answer for this.
Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16 KJV)
How did they persevere? Those that revered God and remembered His ways gathered together often and talked with each other. What did they talk about? They talked about God’s name. How would that help anyone? Well, the names of God actually are descriptions of God and His character.
When we go through trials, we can often doubt God’s goodness or faithfulness. We can easily forget all the good that He has done for us in the past when our present circumstances are difficult or crushing. By thinking about God’s character, we can not only hold on to our faith, remembering that He is a good God, but we can also search for places in our lives where we can see Him at work.
For instance, if God is known as Yahweh-Jireh, “The Lord will Provide”, then He will provide for my needs as well. (Gen. 22:14) If God is Yahweh-Shammah, “The Lord is Present,” then He is near me. If He is Yahweh-Rohi, “The Lord My Shepherd,” then He is able to guide, protect and direct me. There are many other names of God throughout the Old Testament which can remind us of the character and attributes of God.
As we wait for the Messiah to return and as we go through our own personal trials, let’s follow the example of Zacharias and Elizabeth and others who have followed God through the ages. Let’s gather together and pray and remind each other of God’s character and goodness. Let’s encourage each other to follow His ways. God says he takes note of those who remember him in this way. And he will write their names in His Book of Remembrance.
And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:17 ASV)
“Names of God,” by Laurell Hubick. Video by Hidden Brook Productions.
Scripture verses taken from the World English Bible (WEB), Public domain.
Scripture verses taken from the the American Standard Version (ASV), Public Domain.
Scripture verses taken from the King James Bible (KJV), Public Domain.