Zechariah and Elizabeth: Persistent Faith in a Faithful God
Overview
Zechariah and Elizabeth is a new kind of Bible study based on a very old premise: that context enriches content when you study the Scriptures—that is, that we need to adopt the mindset and ethos of the times of the text to fully grasp its purpose and meaning.
This mini-volume restores the “familiar” Luke 1 story of Zechariah and Elizabeth back to its original context. Enabling us to experience the full story as if we were Zechariah and Elizabeth’s neighbors. In doing so, it allows twenty-first century Westernized hearts and minds to connect with the first-century Middle Eastern mindset that Luke assumes we understand. As Paul Harvey would say, now we have “the rest of the story,” making Zechariah and Elizabeth as appropriate for small-group and classroom use as it is for personal devotions. The book is organized into 12 chapters, each with appropriate “Reflections” and Scripture to ponder.
Rediscover the Bible writers’ intended approach to studying the Word of God with the Logos edition of Zechariah and Elizabeth. All Scripture passages link to your favorite Bible translation in your library. With the advanced search features of Logos Bible Software, you can perform powerful searches by topic or Scripture reference—finding, for example, every mention of “disciple” or “grace.”
- Contextually restores Bible narratives
- Discusses specific passage's in relation to God
- Encourages deeper study to find God’s truth and wisdom
Top Highlights
“In this religious culture, children were seen as God’s direct and evident blessing to His people.13” (Page 14)
“In choosing this name, Zechariah’s father drew upon a prophetic name that harkens back almost 500 years in the nation’s history. In the time of returning from Babylon to rebuild the Temple, a prophet and priest named Zechariah was visited by an angel. From that vision, he penned God’s words of prophetic hope that promised a ‘restored kingdom community and a functioning temple.’7 The mention of Zechariah’s name evokes prophetic echoes of Messiah’s coming, priesthood, kingship, glory and His enduring reign of peace and prosperity.” (Page 10)
“This included the incense offering in the Holy Place which, because of its location so close to the Holy of Holies,21 was considered to be the most coveted service for a priest to carry out. Since there were generally more priests in a division than might ever be able to perform the incense offering, a priest was allowed to serve once in his lifetime.22 As a result, a lot-casting system was established to allow God to select the priest He desired to honor with that service.” (Page 17)
“After decades of participating in this process (some consider Zechariah to be sixty years old when Luke introduces us to him27), Zechariah never gets selected. Sometimes the count ended just before him, and sometimes just after, but never with him.” (Page 18)
“In a culture in which the act of naming was highly significant and naming a male child a most sacred and solemn task, Zechariah’s father had just given him a name that came with a history and a legacy.” (Page 11)
Get Doug Greenwold’s remarkable little book! Such a familiar story and yet, when told ‘in context,’ blazingly new and fresh! As you meditate on the characters, their journey, and God’s wonderful purpose in it all, you will realize that your eyes have indeed been opened.
—Carolyn Kilbourne, study leader, Precept Upon Precept Bible Study
Doug is a gifted teacher, with a passion for God, a longing to understand the Scripture in its contextual setting, and a desire to apply it to the real situations in our lives. This study demonstrates all these attributes—clear teaching, illuminating context, and thoughtful application. I highly recommend it.
—Dr. Arthur Lindsley, senior fellow, C. S. Lewis Institute
It is a privilege to recommend this book as a resource for anyone seeking to understand and apply the Scripture. Taking a well-known Bible event, Doug Greenwold has shown how to make it come alive as he sets the story within its cultural settings.
—Dr. Robert Norris, senior pastor, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, Maryland
It is a joy to recommend Doug’s book to you as we have greatly benefited as a ministry from his teaching on this subject. You will be greatly blessed and positioned right back into the life and times of Zechariah and Elizabeth.
—Camilla Seabolt, executive director, Community Bible Study
- Title: Zechariah and Elizabeth: Persistent Faith in a Faithful God
- Author: Doug Greenwold
- Publisher: Doug Greenwold
- Publication Date: 2004
- Pages: 80