Luke 1:18-25

¹⁸ And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” ¹⁹ And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. ²⁰ But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” ²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. ²² But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. ²³ So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. ²⁴ Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying,²⁵ “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

In response to the angel’s good news, Zacharias questions. He asks for some assurance that the angel’s words would come to fulfillment. However, ample evidence had already been given. The Hebrew Scriptures with which Zacharias would be well acquainted recorded numerous similar promises being fulfilled. In addition to the written word, the source of the words currently being spoken – an angel! – should have satisfied Zacharias.

Hence the angel’s response. He identifies himself as Gabriel, translating “the strength of God”. Gabriel’s appearing is a rare event in scripture, only occurring three other times (later in this chapter and twice in Daniel). Why? Because Gabriel stands “in the presence of God”. The setting gives profound meaning to these words. Just feet away from where the conversation is occurring, on the other side of a veil, is the Most Holy Place of the temple. Here would rest the arc of the Testimony; a structure adorning two golden statues of angels (Ex. 26). Throughout the Israelite history, God would manifest His presence on the "mercy seat" between these two angels. This temple structure reflects a heavenly reality . Two exalted angels that were invited to stand in the presence of God’s throne. Might Gabriel be identifying himself as one of these angels? Incredible.

Yet, as exalted as Gabriel may be, let’s remember he “was sent”. The words he spoke were words given by God. Hence Zacharias was not just exhibiting doubt in the power of Gabriel’s words, but doubt in the power of God’s words. Words with the creative power to bring about this world.

The problem: rather than listen and believe these words, he filled the air with his own noise. So Gabriel eliminates that noise. He gives Zacharias time to reflect, to understand, and to believe the words spoken to him.

This is a vital aspect of the Christian’s experience. To turn off the noise – the gospel music, our conversations (and blogs!) about religious topics, all of it – and personally reflect on the power of God’s word. Perhaps this explains why Elizabeth "hid herself for five months”.

We may very well continue to serve God in these periods, as Zacharias did, or it may involve some sort of temporary retreat, like Elizabeth, but whatever the case let us learn to regularly stop our noise making to reflect on the words of God, the goodness of His character.