Too Afraid to See

I understand poetic licenses – I use them. But I have difficulty singing the lines “I want to see You; I want to see You” in the song Open the Eyes of My Heart by Michael W. Smith. I am happy not to see angels, the glorified Jesus, or God until I have the glorified eyes and fearless body!

Zechariah was chosen, by a lot, to enter the outer chamber where the altar was and burn incense before God (only the High Priest entered the inner chamber on the Day of Atonement). This was a safe ministry compared to entering the Holy of Holies, where the High Priest could lose his life. Nothing has happened in the temple since the Shekinah Glory departed it nearly 600 years earlier. Other priests have entered the chamber for centuries and burned incense; they saw nothing exciting or new.

This day, however, was different.

“While every one of the multitudes of people was praying outside, at that hour of incense, the Angel of the Lord stood at the right hand of the altar of incense.” (Luke 1:10–11)*

T

he Angel of the Lord was a prominent messenger or representative of YHWH (Heb. Mel-ak = “messenger”), someone like Michael or Gabriel. Even the Greek word angelos, translated as “angel,” meant “a messenger.” He first appeared in the OT when he promised Hagar that Abraham’s child she was carrying would become a great nation (Gen 16:7–11). He appeared again when Abraham tried to offer his son Isaac on the altar and stopped him (Gen 22:11–15). Later, he appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exod 3:2), and as he entered Egypt uncircumcised (Exod 4:24). The Angel of the Lord appeared to prophets like Balaam (Num 22), Israelites (Judg 2), Gideon (Judg 6), Samson’s parents (Judg 13), Elijah (1 Kgs 19), David (1 Chron 21), Prophet Zechariah (1), Malachi (2), and Isaiah (37). In all these appearances, he brought an important message from YHWH. The priest Zechariah would have known this. The Angel of the Lord appeared when people were praying outside the temple at the hour of incense and when Zechariah was offering incense by the altar.

Rightfully so,

“Zechariah trembled to see [the Angel of the Lord], and fear fell upon him.” (Luke 1:12)

T

he Angel of the Lord, however, comforted him, saying,

“Do not fear, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you will call his name, John. He will be a joy and gladness to you. And many will rejoice at his beginning/coming because he will be great before the Lord.” (Luke 1:13–15a)

God’s redemption plan for the Israelites began with him offering Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayer and offering them a son, one with the Spirit and power of Elijah, who could turn the people’s hearts towards God. God was, however, answering the people’s prayer as well. It happened while the people were praying and anxiously waiting!

Even now, God hears our prayers. Salvation always begins with prayers! That’s why God’s people must gather to pray and wait for miracles!

***

*A Hebrew/Greek genitive construct is always definitive, meaning this is not an angel of the Lord but the Angel of the Lord.