Luke the beloved physician wrote, “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, ...”, and in chapter one and verse nine of his book Luke added how Zacharias was, “to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord”, where we read:
According to the custom of the priest's office,
his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
The verse reads, “According to the custom of the priest's office, ...” Luke began with the words, “According to the custom” or “through out, toward and along the manner and usage prescribed by law, the institute, prescription and rite” “of the priest's office” which means “pertaining to the sacerdotal function which was performed by the priesthood”. Luke shared how Zacharias performed his “priestly” duties in the manner which was “prescribed” by the “law”.
The verse goes one to say, “... his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.” Luke continued with the words, “his lot” which means “Zacharias' divine allotment” “was to burn incense” or “to offer aromatic fumes or fumigate” “when he went into the temple” which means “at the time and moment Zacharias appeared, arose and entered the sacred worship place consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies” “of the Lord” or “belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Luke shared how Zacharias' duty within the Lord's “temple” was to offer up burning incense.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn more of the “responsibility” of Zacharias the priest. The “priests” who were chosen to serve in the “temple” were selected among a group of priests who were available to perform certain functions within it. Zacharias was chosen to “burn incense” in the temple area which was a symbol of “prayers” being offered up to God for himself and the people. This was Zacharias' opportunity to serve the Lord in a manner that was honorable for Him. God's desire is for everyone to be in a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and when they submit their lives to Him, they will be able to “serve” in His Kingdom according to His purposes and plans. Those who are wise will yield their lives to Jesus and enjoy their “lot” provided by God.
Next time Luke shares how, “the whole multitude of the people were praying”, 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".
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