Priestly Parents

November 2

(Luke 1:5-6 NIV) “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. {6} Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. {7} But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.”

(1 Chronicles 24:1-10 NIV)  These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. {2} But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. {3} With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering. {4} A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than among Ithamar's, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar's descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar's descendants. {5} They divided them impartially by drawing lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. {6} The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites--one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar. {7} The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, {8} the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, {9} the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin, {10} the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah…”

Zechariah and Elizabeth became parents late in life. Their son grew up to be known as John the Baptist -- the “voice of one calling in the desert” and the forerunner of Jesus Christ. It was not an accident that John was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth. Neither was it an accident that he was born to parents who had given up on having children. His birth would be a miracle -- the first of many. God chose John’s parents with care. Both were descended from priestly lines that went clear back to Aaron’s day. They were steeped in the Scriptures and zealous for God’s glory. John’s ministry would eventually become more prophetic than priestly. His sanctuary would be the desert. His robe would be of camel hide. His message would be repentance. But he got his start in a home where God and God’s word were important. His foundation was solid. That is still a very good way to begin life. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day