Too often, we rush we fail to slow down and consider the common sense of a Bible passage - in context. Like a learner in a reading class, let's break down a passage to see if we can comprehend it better. Some Questions:
| Luke 1 (NASB): 67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying: |
Now that the baby is born and Zechariah can talk again, he praises God with his voice. The baby (who would become a baptizer, paving the road for Jesus) is John, and his father is a priest. He is compelled at this time not only to praise, but to prophecy. Zechariah begins by complimenting the Almighty on the manner in which He has assisted the Jews in the past. He acknowledges that God has been with His people for a long, long time, and they have come through treacherous times only because of Him. In fact, they have become stronger through the centuries because God has led them and protected them. For these reasons, Zechariah proclaims a blessing upon God (Strength is what is indicated by the "horn" in verse 69.).
The House of David is very important to the account because John will prepare the path for Jesus. Since Jesus, the prophesied Messiah, is to come through David's descendants, we may think of Jesus as the horn of the House of David. Salvation comes only through that lineage. Salvation comes through mercy, and mercy comes because God remembers and executes all of His agreements.
This is the first half of Zechariah's prophecy. There is more to come as the first chapter of Luke concludes.