Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit

On the 8th Day

Luke 1:57–59 ESV

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father,

Genesis 17:12 ESV

He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring,

Outsiders are to be brought in made a part of the community.

Zechariah’s Song

The song of Zechariah, the “Benedictus,” is a good example of the oral poetry of the male world. Oral Poetry. The ability of the speaker to patch together phrases from widely different parts of the tradition and thereby create a new poem for a special occasion was highly esteemed and considered a source of great honor. The song gives praise to God as the Patron who has provided benefaction for Zechariah and Israel.

OUT of Darkness

Luke 1:79 ESV

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Psalm 107:10 ESV

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons,