Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
The words are the Spirit-filled and Spirit-inspired praise and prophecy spoken by Zacharias after the birth of his son John. In the temple Zacharias had prayed for pardon of public and national sins and for the coming of the long-expected Redeemer, and the birth of John with this prophecy answered long-standing prayers for the Redeemer's coming and fulfilled the angel's message. That answer shows the visitation to be an act of divine mercy.
To be visited and redeemed means that the Lord God of Israel came to His people and acted to save and deliver them by sending the promised Redeemer, Messiah, Saviour, and Christ. This visitation fulfills His promised mercy and holy covenant and covenant promises. The redemption was foretold through the prophets and is identified in the following words as a horn of salvation raised up in David's house and line, a mighty Savior. That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus' life, suffering, death, and resurrection, showing that His mission and work were announced in the Old Testament, and that careful study of Scripture would have revealed Him as the Messiah.
The visitation is the beginning of Israel's deliverance, and being delivered from enemies the people are enabled to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness throughout their lives. The prophecy points to the child John as the Messiah's herald appointed to prepare Christ's way, giving assurance that the Messiah announced by John had come. Concerning Christ's advent, the verse presents Him in the gracious character of Instructor of those lying in gross darkness, and viewing Him as the Dayspring calls forth the highest exaltation of Christ.
The words are the Spirit-filled and Spirit-inspired praise and prophecy spoken by Zacharias after the birth of his son John. In the temple Zacharias had prayed for pardon of public and national sins and for the coming of the long-expected Redeemer, and the birth of John with this prophecy answered long-standing prayers for the Redeemer's coming and fulfilled the angel's message. That answer shows the visitation to be an act of divine mercy.
To be visited and redeemed means that the Lord God of Israel came to His people and acted to save and deliver them by sending the promised Redeemer, Messiah, Saviour, and Christ. This visitation fulfills His promised mercy and holy covenant and covenant promises. The redemption was foretold through the prophets and is identified in the following words as a horn of salvation raised up in David's house and line, a mighty Savior. That prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus' life, suffering, death, and resurrection, showing that His mission and work were announced in the Old Testament, and that careful study of Scripture would have revealed Him as the Messiah.
The visitation is the beginning of Israel's deliverance, and being delivered from enemies the people are enabled to serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness throughout their lives. The prophecy points to the child John as the Messiah's herald appointed to prepare Christ's way, giving assurance that the Messiah announced by John had come. Concerning Christ's advent, the verse presents Him in the gracious character of Instructor of those lying in gross darkness, and viewing Him as the Dayspring calls forth the highest exaltation of Christ.