Day 9 – Elizabeth

“Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:24-25

Where Zechariah’s name means God has remembered, Elizabeth means Covenant of God. The union of these two to bring forth John the Baptist is (in my opinion) divine structure, because after 400 years of silence, God has remembered His Covenant.

In the culture of those days, it was considered a curse for a woman to be barren and was legal grounds for divorce. No one would have held it against Zechariah for sending Elizabeth away – which only shows their love and devotion as they shared the grief of barrenness. As unbelievable as the story of Gabriel might have sounded to her, she had unwavering faith that the message came from God. She didn’t question its truth or validity. She humbly accepts it with gratefulness and joy.

Interestingly, Elizabeth remains in seclusion for the first five months of her pregnancy. This was not a common practice. All the opinions I’ve researched about Elizabeth’s seclusion indeed have substance, but do not give scriptural explanations. Luke narrated clues about Elizabeth, giving insight into her actions. “Perikruptô” (per-ee-kroop-to) is the Greek for hid or seclusion and is only used once in the New Testament by Luke. We know she was from Aaron’s lineage and, as the wife of a priest, would have known the scriptures too. Many Psalms describe rest, finding shelter, or hiding in the Lord, like Psalm 116:7: “Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me”, which echoes her recorded words.

I like to think that Elizabeth secluded herself from humanity to enter into the hiding place with the Lord – a big prophecy was announced over the life of her son. She accepted the favour from God and radiates privately in her blessing as the veil of disgrace is lifted from her.

Pray with me: Father, thank You for the example of Elizabeth that teaches that seclusion is not isolation from the world but a refuge in Your presence. Teach us to humbly accept Your word with gratefulness and joy. I know the opinions, diagnoses, and ideas of this world are not the final word in my life – that belongs only to You. Thank You for being such a good Father. Amen. ©

Love, Pastor Iriza