How do we know that Zacharias' prophecy is God's message rather than his own hopes?
Verse 67 records that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit before he prophesied. That filling shows his words were not merely the heart desires or wishful thinking of an average Jew or priest; what he spoke was actually the mind of God being spoken through him.
Les explains that many people assume the Holy Spirit was not on the scene before Pentecost, but Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit. That emphasis shows Zacharias was not merely mouthing the heart desires of an average Jew or even a Jewish priest, nor was he engaging in wishful thinking. The words he was about to speak were actually the mind of God being spoken through him. His prophecy begins, 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,' because God had dealt with the whole human race for 2,000 years, from Adam to Abraham, and they walked His offers underfoot. Now He turns to the Jew, the God of Israel, for He hath visited and redeemed His people.
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.
What does the prophecy of Zacharias in Luke 1 say about Israel's expectation of safety?
Zacharias' prophecy in Luke 1:67-68, spoken after his speech was restored, describes exactly what Israel is looking for today: safety from their enemies.