Luke 1:57-58 (WEB)
Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
Finally, Elizabeth and Zacharias’ baby is born and all their friends and family rejoice with them. Don’t we just love wonderful celebrations like these? I’m sure this baby was in danger of being spoiled by the entire town!
The traditional naming day for Jewish baby boys is on the eighth day of their lives. It is also the day they are circumcised. It is an event often attended by family and friends. And such was the case for Zacharias and Elizabeth’s baby.
On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. (Luke 1:59-63 WEB)
As in our days, it was not uncommon to name children after relatives. And apparently these friends thought the name Zacharias would be a perfect name for this miracle baby. Indeed, it was very appropriate, as Zacharias means “The Lord has remembered.” But the angel Gabriel had specifically told Zacharias to name the baby John. So Elizabeth speaks up.
His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” (Luke 1:60-61 WEB)
Although these friends disagree with Elizabeth, John is also a very appropriate name for this baby, as it means “The Lord has shown favor,” or “The Lord has been gracious.” But apparently this goes against the expectations or traditions of this community. So an appeal is made to Zacharias to decide on the baby’s name. We might wonder why he has not been consulted before, but perhaps he has been mute for so long that they forget he has an opinion. Now they turn to him for an answer.
They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”
They all marveled. (Luke 1:62 WEB)
Zacharias’ answer is so unexpected that they are astonished. But Zacharias and Elizabeth know what God said, and tradition or not, they follow God’s directions.
Immediately, God confirms His approval.
His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” (Luke 1:64-66a WEB)
Zacharias and Elizabeth’s faith and obedience become a testimony for all to see. For many long years Elizabeth bore the unjustified shame of bareness. Yet now, the unusual way in which God has worked in their lives shows God’s favor and brings glory to God.
I have not yet told you, though, what Elizabeth’s name means. Elizabeth means “God of the oath.” What oath would that be referring to? The people gathered for the baby’s circumcision would know exactly which oath. For circumcision was the sign of the unconditional oath God had made with Abraham.
Now Yahweh said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3 WEB)
God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.” (Genesis 17:9-11 WEB)
This was a covenant with a blessing for all nations. For within this oath is hidden the promise that the “seed of the woman” of Genesis 3:15, who would crush the serpent’s head, would come through Abraham’s descendants. And His coming would be the greatest blessing God ever gave.
So in this little story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, where they choose to follow the directions of God instead of their family’s expectations in naming their child, we see a small re-enactment, if you will, of Abraham and Sarah choosing to leave their family and follow God’s directions in an act of faith. And as they perform the sign of the covenant, circumcision, on their miracle baby, they demonstrate his inclusion in God’s covenant with the children of Abraham. They are, in essence, reminding themselves and all those present of God’s promise. Their act of obedience and faith blesses them, as well as those present, as they bear witness to God’s favor and miraculous works in their lives.
God truly had a purpose for the name he gave to this baby. For now, when this small family stands together, their names hold a message. Elizabeth, “God of the oath,” reminds people that God has made an everlasting covenant with His people. Zacaharias, tells them that “The Lord has remembered.” And John’s name, “The Lord has shown favor,” proclaims joyfully that now is the day of God’s favor. Now was the time that he would send the Messiah, through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed.
That blessing reaches down to you and I, as we turn to God in faith, receiving the salvation offered through the death and resurrection of the Messiah. As we follow his ways, He will purify our hearts, cutting away those things which do not please Him, and so we will be a blessing to others, as well.
Zacharias and Elizabeth spent their whole lives obediently following God, even when others didn’t understand them or pressured them to do things differently. They are an example that we should follow.
Deuteronomy 30:6(KJV)
And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” by Casting Crowns.
Scripture verses were taken from the World English Bible (WEB) and the King James Version (KJV), Pubic Domain.