We are taught that we must become upright people who, in God’s sight, are blameless and fully keep His commandments. “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” [(Modern Translation: “When Herod was king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth also came from the family of Aaron. They were righteous before God and faithfully kept all the Lord’s commandments and regulations without fault”)] (Luke 1:5–6). While meditating on this passage, I would like to draw out the lessons given to us: (1) The author of Luke’s Gospel, Luke, first wrote to Theophilus about John the Baptist’s parents. The father’s name was “Zechariah” (meaning, “The LORD remembers...
The fear of the Lord "'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge'(Prov.1:7). In fact, the book of Proverbs not only begins with this assertion, it ends with the balancing conclusion, 'A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised'(31:30). In other words, the fear of the Lord is the beginning and end of wisdom for all people, men and women, wise and simple, young and old alike." [Iain M. Duguid, "Jesus in the Old Testament"]