Meaning of Luke 1:9

This verse describes a pivotal moment in the infancy narrative of John the Baptist, detailing the divine selection process for a priestly duty. Zechariah, John's father, was chosen by lot to enter the Holy Place of the Jerusalem Temple, a singular honor and responsibility, to offer incense. This act was not arbitrary but followed established Levitical procedures, emphasizing the sacred and orderly nature of worship prescribed by God. The incense offering was a highly symbolic act, representing the prayers of God's people ascending to heaven, and its performance by a priest chosen by lot underscores God's sovereign hand in orchestrating His redemptive plan, even in seemingly routine aspects of temple service.

Context and Background

The passage is set within the broader narrative of the miraculous births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Zechariah, a priest from the division of Abijah, was serving his appointed time at the Temple in Jerusalem. The selection by lot was a method prescribed in the Old Testament (e.g., Numbers 3:24-26, 1 Chronicles 24:7-19) to determine which priest would perform specific duties, particularly those within the inner sanctuary, to ensure fairness and divine guidance in assigning these sacred roles. The offering of incense in the Holy Place was a rare and solemn privilege, performed only once daily by a single priest.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Election: The use of the lot signifies that God, not human choice or merit alone, determined Zechariah's specific role. This highlights God's active involvement in appointing individuals for His purposes.
• The Importance of Priesthood and Temple Service: The verse underscores the sacredness of the Levitical priesthood and the central role of the Temple in ancient Israelite worship as the dwelling place of God and the locus of His presence.
• Symbolism of Incense: The burning of incense was a visual representation of prayers rising to God. It signifies the continuous intercession and worship offered by the faithful.
• Preparation for a Greater Event: Zechariah's experience, culminating in his encounter with the angel Gabriel and his subsequent silencing, is directly tied to the announcement and subsequent birth of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The selection by lot for a sacred duty points to God's meticulous planning and His desire to involve humanity in His work. For believers today, it reminds us that God calls and equips individuals for specific ministries and tasks within His church. The act of burning incense, representing prayer, is a timeless principle. It encourages believers to engage in consistent and fervent prayer, knowing that their prayers are precious and ascend to God. Zechariah's obedience, despite his initial doubt, also serves as an example of faithfulness in fulfilling God's calling.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event is a critical hinge in salvation history. John the Baptist, whose birth is announced to Zechariah, is prophesied to "turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). Zechariah's encounter and subsequent prophetic utterance are the first steps in fulfilling this grand narrative of redemption, preparing the way for the Messiah. The incense offering, a symbol of prayer, foreshadows the ultimate intercession of Christ on behalf of humanity.

Analogies

• A Lottery for a Sacred Task: Imagine a modern church announcing a special prayer vigil, and a name is drawn from a hat to be the designated intercessor for that specific hour. While the method is different, the principle of a divinely appointed individual for a sacred task is similar.
• The Priest as a Conduit: The priest burning incense acted as a conduit between the earthly realm and the divine. Similarly, prayer serves as a conduit for our spiritual lives, allowing our thoughts and desires to reach God.

Relation to Other Verses

• Numbers 3:24-26: This passage outlines the responsibilities of the Kohathites, which included caring for the instruments of the sanctuary, and the principle of assigning duties.
• 1 Chronicles 24:7-19: This chapter details the division of the priesthood into twenty-four courses, and how lots were cast to determine their order of service.
• Revelation 5:8: This verse speaks of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, "which are the prayers of the saints." This directly links the symbolic act of incense to the prayers of God's people.
• Luke 1:11-20: This section immediately follows, detailing Gabriel's appearance to Zechariah and the announcement of John's birth.