Morning Bible Study: Luke 1:67-80

Zechariah’s Prophecy

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has visited

and provided redemption for his people.

69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David,

70 just as he spoke by the mouth

of his holy prophets in ancient times;

71 salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of those who hate us.

72 He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors

and remembered his holy covenant—

73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham,

to grant that we,

74 having been rescued

from the hand of our enemies,

would serve him without fear

75 in holiness and righteousness

in his presence all our days.

76 And you, child, will be called

a prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord

to prepare his ways,

77 to give his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins.

78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion,

the dawn from on high will visit us

79 to shine on those who live in darkness

and the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 The child grew up and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"Zacharias [Zechariah] uttered a prophecy concerning the kingdom and salvation of the Messiah. The gospel brings light with it; in it the day dawns. In John the Baptist it began to break, and increased apace to the perfect day. 

The gospel is discovering; it shows that about which we were utterly in the dark; it is to give light to those that sit in darkness, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It is reviving; it brings light to those that sit in the shadow of death, as condemned prisoners in the dungeon. It is directing; it is to guide our feet in the way of peace, into that way which will bring us to peace at last, Romans 3:17. 

John gave proofs of strong faith, vigorous and holy affections, and of being above the fear and love of the world. Thus he ripened for usefulness; but he lived a retired life, till he came forward openly as the forerunner of the Messiah. 

Let us follow peace with all men, as well as seek peace with God and our own consciences. And if it be the will of God that we live unknown to the world, still let us diligently seek to grow strong in the grace of Jesus Christ."