Why is Zacharias' prophecy in Luke 1 considered the Word of God rather than his own words?
Luke 1:67 records Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit. Because the Spirit prompted him, his prophecy was not merely his own words or the mouthings of a good Jew; it was the very Word of God coming forth, spoken through him.
Les explains that this is why he always points out that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit. What Zacharias says is not just the mouthings of a good Jew, but the very Word of God coming forth, because the Spirit is prompting him to say what he says. Zacharias is identified as one of the priests, a believing priest, the father of John the Baptist, and the husband of Elizabeth. His prophecy begins, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people.” The people in view are Israel. He speaks of God raising up a horn of salvation in the house of David and of being saved from enemies, tying the passage to Israel’s covenant hope and the salvation granted to Israel.
And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
More Questions
Were Zacharias's words in Luke 1 just his own wishful thinking or words from God?
Zacharias's prophecy after being filled with the Spirit was not just his own wishful thinking as a patriotic or religious Jew; it was the very expression of God Himself concerning the nation.
Were Zacharias's words in Luke 1 just an old Jewish man's patriotic hopes, or were they God's own words?
Zacharias's words in Luke 1:68, spoken after he was filled with the Spirit, are not his own wishful thinking as a patriotic or religious Jew; they are the very expressions of God Himself concerning the nation.
When Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, was he speaking wishful thinking?
When Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, his coming utterance was prompted by that Spirit, not by wishful thinking or Jewish nationalistic and patriotic hopes.