The History Of The Infancy Of John The Baptist And Christ: - Part Three

The History Of The Infancy Of John The Baptist And Christ: - Part Three
Date: B.C. 5 or 4
In the beginning of Church History: The appearance of the angel of the Lord to Zacharias in the temple announcing the birth of John The Baptist, Luke 1:5–25.
And Zachariah said unto the angel, How shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well advanced in years. The angel answers, that he was dispatched by God as a messenger extraordinary, to declare this good news to him. And seeing he was so hard to believe it, and required a sign, he should have it, but such an one as should be a punishment of his unbelief, as well as a sign to confirm his faith; namely, he should from that time on, to the birth of the child, be dumb and deaf, as the original word signifies; because he had not hearkened to the angel's speech, he was struck deaf; and because he had said it, he was made dumb.5
The people waited for Zachariah, and marveled that he stayed so long in the temple. The priest was not accustomed to remaining in the temple more than half an hour. Having remained on this occasion a longer time, the people became apprehensive of his safety, and wondered what had happened to him. And when he came out, he could not speak.
They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: He beckoned to them, and remained speechless. It might have been expected that the extraordinary occurrence in the temple, together with his own calamity, would have induced him at once to leave this place and return home; but his duty was in the temple. His piety prompted him to remain there in the service of God. He was not unfitted for burning incense by his dumbness, and it was not proper for him to leave his post. It is the duty of ministers of religion to re- main at their work until they are unfitted for it, and unable to serve God in their profession. Then they must retire. But until that time, he that for trifling causes forsakes his post is guilty of unfaithfulness to his Master.2
As soon as the days of his service were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
Elizabeth hid herself she did not go into public, and concealed her condition. This might have been done that she might spend her time more entirely. in giving praise to God for his mercies, and that she might have the fullest proof of the accomplishment of the promise before she appeared in public or spoke of the mercies of God.2