ELIZABETH - THE STORY

Elizabeth

Name means "God is my oath"

Scripture :  Luke 1:5-80

Elizabeth lived in Judea and was a descendant of Aaron.  She was known by her faithfulness to God's word and for being called blameless for keeping his commandments.  She was called "upright in the sight of God".

She was married to Zechariah and they were both of old age.  They had no children, as she was barren.  Zechariah was burning incense before the most holy place and an angel, called Gabriel, appeared to him and frightened him.  The angel told him,

"Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.  (John the Baptist)
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Because of his disbelief, Zechariah was struck mute, and would not be able to speak until the birth of the child.  Elizabeth conceived and hid herself for 5 months. In her sixth month the same angel, Gabriel, appeared unto the virgin Mary and told her of Elizabeth's pregnancy. They were cousins and this news excited Mary.  However, Mary was also told by the angel  that she would soon be mother to the Son of God.  She went to visit Elizabeth and tell her the good news.  When Elizabeth was greeted by Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.  They were both believers and knew that they had been greatly blessed among all women.