John The Baptist - Forerunner
Notes
Transcript
The part assigned to each priest in his week of service was decided by lot. Three were employed at the offering of incense—to remove the ashes of the former service; to bring in and place on the golden altar the pan filled with hot burning coals taken from the altar of burnt offering; and to sprinkle the incense on the hot coals; and, while the smoke of it ascended, to make intercession for the people. This was the most distinguished part of the service (Rev 8:3), and this was what fell to the lot of Zacharias at this time [LIGHTFOOT].
I wonder here - about how Z comes to burn incense on behalf of the people….forerunner of JtB and Jesus??
John—the same as “Johanan,” so frequent in the Old Testament, meaning “Jehovah’s gracious gift.”
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Chapter 1)
drink neither wine nor strong drink—that is, shall be a Nazarite, or “a separated one” (Nu 6:2, &c.). As the leper was the living symbol of sin, so was the Nazarite of holiness; nothing inflaming was to cross his lips; no razor to come on his head; no ceremonial defilement to be contracted. Thus was he to be “holy to the Lord [ceremonially] all the days of his separation.” This separation was in ordinary cases temporary and voluntary: only Samson (Jdg 13:7), Samuel (1 Sa 1:11), and John Baptist were Nazarites from the womb. It was fitting that the utmost severity of legal consecration should be seen in Christ’s forerunner. HE was the REALITY and PERFECTION of the Nazarite without the symbol, which perished in that living realization of it: “Such an High Priest became us, who was SEPARATE FROM SINNERS” (Heb 7:26).
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Chapter 1)
and power of Elias—not his miraculous power, for John did no miracle” (Jn 10:41), but his power “turning the heart,” or with like success in his ministry
The Prophetic word that G gives Z is:
Turn many towards God
Spirit and Power of Elijah
Turn the hearts of fathers to the children - parental fidelity - that the home would be strong as the basis for society and community strength.
The problem wasn’t that Z had doubts - it was that he wanted a sign.
He asked for a sign….and then he got it. That he was unable to speak.
24. hid five months—till the event was put beyond doubt and became apparent.
Luke (B. Preparing for the Forerunner (1:5–25))
1:6. Impeccable priestly and religious credentials marked Zechariah’s family. They followed every part of God’s law. God judged them upright. They, rather than Herod, qualified to be God’s instruments as he prepared the Savior’s way. God continually looks among his people not for the rich and famous but for the righteous and holy to join him in his work of salvation. He saves you with imputed righteousness and uses you through realized righteousness.
1:7. Impeccable priestly credentials and impeccable religious, spiritual credentials did not guarantee life’s blessings. Zechariah and Elizabeth suffered personal and social disgrace because Elizabeth could not have children. Leviticus 20:20–21 shows that the Hebrews thought childlessness was a sign of divine punishment. Couples
Luke (B. Preparing for the Forerunner (1:5–25))
1:8. Five times a year Zechariah left home for the temple. During the three major Jewish festivals (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles) all priestly divisions served at the temple as pilgrims swelled Jerusalem’s population. Each priestly order or division had two other weeks a year when they carried out the daily temple sacrifices and rituals.
