Dave spoke tonight from Luke 1:5-25 about the example Elizabeth sets for us. Although Elizabeth only really features in this one chapter, we learn a lot about her from her response to the miraculous news that, though old and barren, she would bear a son who would be a messenger of the Lord.

  1. It is evident that Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron and married to a priest, Zechariah, had a responsible role in life and probably (maybe even because of her childlessness) threw herself into good works. She was upright in the sight of God an continued to do her best for God, even though her barrenness must have been a great disappointment to her. She did not become bitter towards God because of her circumstances but gives us an example of living a godly life at all times.
  2. She was obviously a woman of great faith, for she believed Zechariah’s account of the angelic visitation and believed there would be a miracle. She had probably prayed for a child for many years and is an example to us of the need for persevering prayer. Sometimes God says ‘yes’ and sometimes ‘no’, but often there is a period of silence when it appears He is not listening or answering. Elizabeth needed great faith to keep on believing and she encourages us to have faith too.
  3. Elizabeth also shows us the example of self-control. She withdrew from society and kept to herself during those early months of pregnancy. That might have been to keep her baby safe from anything which could have potentially led to ritual uncleanliness or could have been from modesty, but in that time, she learnt to pray and praise. We too need to learn how to exercise restraint at times and to wait for the Lord.
  4. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41) and prophesied when she met Mary, ‘the mother of my Lord.‘ We too need to be filled daily with the Holy Spirit and need His power in our lives.
  5. Elizabeth’s last example is that of obedience. When it was time to circumcise her son, she was the one who spoke out against the tradition of naming the boy after his father. It must have taken great courage for a woman to interrupt the ceremony with the news that this child was to be called John, but she was adamant that total obedience to the angelic message was required. 1 Sam 15:22 reminds us that to obey is better than sacrifice. We need to obey God fully. So often, we think we know how to work things out but obedience involves acknowledging that God knows best and that we are not required to understand all the details before we obey. Luke 1:45 needs to become our motto: ‘Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.’