And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
The verse describes Zacharias and Elizabeth, a priestly couple far advanced in years, as both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all His commandments and ordinances. Their righteousness was sincere inward piety matched by outward integrity, obedience, and blameless conduct, upright toward others and conscientious in religious duties. Their quiet, holy lives displayed faith and steadfast right-doing amid an evil age of widespread moral corruption. Walking in all the Lord's commandments and ordinances is the mark of blamelessness before God and means taking God's word as the rule of life without compromising with tradition and custom.
Zacharias served in the holy office of the priesthood, had prayed for many years for the coming of the Redeemer, and was ministering before the golden altar in the holy place of the sanctuary while the cloud of incense with the prayers of Israel ascended before God. Though righteous, when the angel stood on the right side of the altar as an indication of favor with heaven's announcement that his prayers were about to be answered, he took no note of the favor and felt the mercy too great to credit. He was surprised and troubled, and was filled with fear and self-condemnation, worrying he had offended God and questioning whether the messenger had come to reprove or condemn him.
Their righteousness meant faithful cooperation with God in training John to carry out his assigned messenger work of announcing Christ. Although John was a miracle child born to their old age with a special work to do, they did not presume God would care for him apart from their effort but sacredly fulfilled their parental obligation. They moved to a retired place in the country where he would not be exposed to city temptations or turned from their counsel and instruction, acting their part in forming a good and wise character in every way fit for God's purpose of giving light to those in darkness and guiding feet into peace.
The blameless walk in the Lord's commandments and ordinances is an example to follow, calling others to follow a godly father's example, live out the sanctifying influence of present truth, accept Christ as their only Saviour, and rely on Him. Walking blamelessly in all the Lord's commandments is a way of life believers should seek, here urged for a married couple to practice in unity. Being blameless before God by walking in His commandments and ordinances applies to those who follow Jesus, who are to turn from evil, do what is right, and obey God even when doing so costs them something.
The verse describes Zacharias and Elizabeth, a priestly couple far advanced in years, as both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all His commandments and ordinances. Their righteousness was sincere inward piety matched by outward integrity, obedience, and blameless conduct, upright toward others and conscientious in religious duties. Their quiet, holy lives displayed faith and steadfast right-doing amid an evil age of widespread moral corruption. Walking in all the Lord's commandments and ordinances is the mark of blamelessness before God and means taking God's word as the rule of life without compromising with tradition and custom.
Zacharias served in the holy office of the priesthood, had prayed for many years for the coming of the Redeemer, and was ministering before the golden altar in the holy place of the sanctuary while the cloud of incense with the prayers of Israel ascended before God. Though righteous, when the angel stood on the right side of the altar as an indication of favor with heaven's announcement that his prayers were about to be answered, he took no note of the favor and felt the mercy too great to credit. He was surprised and troubled, and was filled with fear and self-condemnation, worrying he had offended God and questioning whether the messenger had come to reprove or condemn him.
Their righteousness meant faithful cooperation with God in training John to carry out his assigned messenger work of announcing Christ. Although John was a miracle child born to their old age with a special work to do, they did not presume God would care for him apart from their effort but sacredly fulfilled their parental obligation. They moved to a retired place in the country where he would not be exposed to city temptations or turned from their counsel and instruction, acting their part in forming a good and wise character in every way fit for God's purpose of giving light to those in darkness and guiding feet into peace.
The blameless walk in the Lord's commandments and ordinances is an example to follow, calling others to follow a godly father's example, live out the sanctifying influence of present truth, accept Christ as their only Saviour, and rely on Him. Walking blamelessly in all the Lord's commandments is a way of life believers should seek, here urged for a married couple to practice in unity. Being blameless before God by walking in His commandments and ordinances applies to those who follow Jesus, who are to turn from evil, do what is right, and obey God even when doing so costs them something.