A Story of Silence

Looking around the temple, there were no signs of the heavenly visitor. Zacharias was alone. The messenger from God had vanished. Even though the words were still reverberating through his heart and soul, nothing around him indicated the significance of what had just occurred.

Except for one thing – the silence. It had descended over Zacharias. He questioned God and God took away his voice.

When Zacharias walked out of the temple that day the crowd was eager. He had been gone so long everyone knew something unusual had occurred. Some of the crowd probably believed the worst while others probably hoped for the best. No matter what they thought might have happened, they had one thing in common, they were all waiting to hear from Zacharias. But Zacharias could say nothing. There was no explanation. All he could do was signal with his hands.

How do you explain with your hands all that occurred? How do you explain God’s presence? How do you share hope without words?

Think about how Zacharias felt about his God-imposed silence. How would you feel? Inadequate? Ashamed? Like a failure?

After finishing his priestly responsibilities, Zacharias returned home. Still silent. But listen to how Luke describes what happened, “After these days Elizabeth his wife became pregnant, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, ‘This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace from among men.” (Luke 1:24-25 NASB)

Despite his doubt and short-comings, God was working. The miracle was not dependent on Zacharias. While Zacharias was silent, God did what only God could do. Elizabeth was pregnant. Despite her age and physical limitations, God formed a precious young life within her.

Aren’t you thankful that we have a God who is working all the time? Even in the silence. Even in our failures. Even in our doubt.

It is interesting that the time period directly before Zacharias’s son was born is known as the silent period of Israel’s history. Scholars refer to this time of silence as the intertestamental period. In the four hundred years between the Old Testament and Zacharias’s story at the beginning of the New Testament, there was no word from God. There was no prophecy. There were no miracles. Only silence.

Four hundred years is a long time, a really long time. Generations of people had come and gone. Generations of Israelites waiting for the promised Messiah, waiting for hope, waiting for change. It is on this background of silence, both for the nation and in Zacharias’s own life, that the miracle of God took place.

Listen to how Luke describes when Elizabeth had her baby boy, “She gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had displayed His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.” God’s favor, God’s gift, God’s miracle – it was a reason to rejoice.

In reading Zacharias and Elizabeth’s story, I am reminded that even in what seems like a silent season, God is always working. And many times that silence is the perfect backdrop for His miracles – the miracles that point to His goodness, His power, and His love.