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in years” (Luk 1:18). In fact, he did not to circulate that something frightful had
believe this would come to pass. And so happened inside. At last, they saw him
another promise was given by Gabriel, but emerging from the temple. They were
this time, not a very pleasant one. awaiting the priestly benediction of Num-
“And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and bers 6, but it would have to be offered by
not able to speak, until the day that these a different priest. When Zacharias opened
things shall be performed, because thou his mouth, only silence followed. “And
believest not my words, which shall be when he came out, he could not speak
fulfilled in their season” (v20). The lan- unto them … he beckoned unto them, and
guage used here can mean that Zacharias remained speechless” (v22). But it wasn’t
would be not only mute but deaf. Verse all bad news. Zacharias was given two
62 seems to confirm this since his family promises, one about a son to be born and
and friends “made signs” to communicate another about a mouth to be closed. And
with him. So, this promise was one of because promise number two had just
coming discipline for his refusal to believe been fulfilled, he could know that promise
what Gabriel said. Can you imagine hav- number one would be also. God is even
ing news like Zacharias had but be unable good in His discipline. They wouldn’t
to speak about it? have to wait long for that first promise.
The angelic encounter must have “And after those days his wife Elisabeth
soaked up a considerable amount of time. conceived …” (v24). The miracle baby was
“And the people waited for Zacharias, on the way, with another miracle Baby
and marvelled that he tarried so long in on the way within the family just months
the temple” (v21). Perhaps rumors began thereafter.

Judges Continued from p. 197

which we will see time and again in this show, believers in this dispensation should
series – the interrelationship between the be conscious, not just of the connection
condition of the nation and that of its mar- between family and society in the widest
riages and its families. This is not a simple, sense, but of the implications of family life
monodirectional relationship. We will for the corporate life of the people of God,
discover that national deterioration affects
families and that failure in families has na- not of the nation, but of the local assembly.
tional consequences. That this remains true This reality lends great relevance and con-
in society today is obvious. But, as even a siderable solemnity to our consideration of
cursory reading of the pastoral epistles will family life in the book of Judges.

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