DAY TWENTY: The God of Israel Has Visited His People

Luke must have been a singer, or at least one with an ear for singing. In Luke 1.67-80, he records another song of praise and prophecy, the "Benedictus" of Zechariah, John's father. This song blesses God for his faithfulness in fulfilling his promises. It is a song that announces that the long-awaited day of salvation has dawned, and that the herald of that dawning day will be Zechariah's newborn son, John.

The first part of the Benedictus announces that...

God's silence is broken.
Not only does Zechariah's song represent the opening of his own mute lips, but also the restoration of God's Word to Israel. For 400 years the voice of prophecy had been silent, but now the Holy Spirit fills this man and he speaks forth a prophetic word about the dawning day of redemption.

God has visited his people.
Zechariah blesses God for coming personally to fulfill his promises. The word the NRSV translates, "looked favorably upon" is usually understood to mean, "has visited"—God has visited his people. The priest sees the birth of his son as a sign that the true and living God himself has arisen and come to do something new in the midst of his people.

God has redeemed his people.
In language reminiscent of the Exodus, Zechariah speaks of what God has come to do. He has come to redeem; he has come to save us from our enemies and the hand of all who hate us; he has come to show mercy to us; he has come to rescue us.

God has raised up the Messiah.
God's activity in delivering his people from their enemies will happen through a Savior from the family of David. Here he looks beyond his own baby son to the soon birth of another Son, one even greater than John, who will rule on David's throne.

God has kept his promises.
Zechariah alludes to the entire First Testament story of Israel in his song. What God is doing now fulfills the oath he made to Abraham. What God is doing now is the ultimate rescue operation, which reflects what he did under Moses. What God is doing now brings to fruition the word he gave to David. What God is doing now was predicted by the prophets. This is the mercy he promised to our ancestors. This is God keeping his covenant promises.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel!