Fear Among the People - Luke 1:65

Luke the physician wrote about Zacharias and Elisabeth having a son who was promised by God, “And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said unto her, There is none of your kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God”, and in chapter one and verse sixty-five of his book Luke shared how, “fear came on all that dwelt round about them” where we read:

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

The verse reads, “And fear came on all that dwelt round about them:” Luke began with the words, “and fear” or “and dread, terror and reverence” “came on all” which means “happened and arose upon each, every, the whole and everyone of them” “that dwelt round about them” or “who lived near or were neighbors of Zacharias and Elisabeth”. Luke shared how an “awe and respect” arose on everyone who lived near Zacharias and Elisabeth.

The verse continues, “and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.” Luke added the words, “and all these sayings” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the utterances, declarations and proclamations” “were noised abroad” or “were talked about and communicated” “throughout all the hill country” which means “in each, every, the whole and everyone of the mountainous and hilly district” “of Judaea” or “belonging to Judaea which means he shall be praised and was the area to the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea and Idumaea”. Luke shared how all of the “proclamations” given to and by Zacharias and Elisabeth were known throughout the area of “Judaea”.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see the reaction of the people who discovered what happened with Zacharias and Elisabeth. Elisabeth having a baby, Zacharias unable to speak and afterward spoke and the naming of the baby “John” were just a few of the conversations people were having throughout the Judaean area. God's plan was coming together, and people were beginning to see Him at work through His willing and obedient servants. God's desire was to send His Son Jesus to be the “Savior” of the world, and when people submit their lives to Jesus, they are forgiven of their sins and will inherit “everlasting life” with God. Those who are wise will “reverence” and be in “awe” of all these “sayings” and yield their life to Jesus Christ.

Next time Luke shares how, “all they that hear them laid them up in their hearts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".