Obedience in Silence: Trusting God While Others Watch
Scripture: Luke 1:59-61\ "And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.”" (Luke 1:59–61, ESV)
Obedience in Action: Trusting God on the Eighth Day
On the eighth day, Zechariah and Elizabeth displayed bold obedience by following God’s command, bringing joy and wonder to their community. According to God’s covenant with Abraham, every Jewish boy was to be circumcised on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12). This act was more than a custom; it was a sacred sign of belonging to God’s covenant people and setting apart the firstborn son for the Lord.
Imagine the small house bustling with anticipation. Family and friends gathered for this significant moment, ready to celebrate not just the baby’s birth, but his formal entrance into the covenant community. There would have been whispers of awe and excitement—“The Lord has been so kind to Elizabeth,” some might have said. Others probably marveled at the joy of a child born so late in life, a miraculous gift from God.
Zechariah, still unable to speak, likely stood to the side, watching silently. He had been waiting nine long months to see the fulfillment of the angel’s words. His eyes, perhaps glistening with emotion, would have followed every movement as the ritual began. He couldn’t yet speak, but his heart must have been shouting praise.
For Elizabeth and Zechariah, this was not just a day of ceremony. It was a day of obedience—obedience to the covenant of God and obedience to the name God had chosen for their son. The child would not be named after his father, as tradition dictated. His name would be John.
Trusting God’s Command: The Unexpected Name John
It was the custom for a firstborn son to carry his father’s name or that of a close relative. It honored the family and carried forward its legacy. So when Elizabeth, with unwavering resolve, declared, “No; he shall be called John,” the room must have fallen silent.
Confused glances darted back and forth. Whispers rose like steam when you pull the lid off a boiling pot. "None of your relatives is called by this name," someone protested (Luke 1:61). Why John? Why abandon tradition for something so unexpected?
Elizabeth must have felt the weight of their stares. She could see the questions in their eyes: Are you sure? She was absolutely certain so she held her ground. The name John—which means “God is gracious”—was given to him from God Himself. Whether Zechariah had written it out for her or the Lord had revealed it directly, Elizabeth knew that obedience to God’s command mattered more than human expectations.
Her courage in that moment is striking. Elizabeth was surrounded by people who loved her, but they didn’t understand. How often does obedience to God look strange to those around us? How many times do we feel the tension of standing firm in faith when others question us?
Courage in the Face of Confusion
Elizabeth and Zechariah’s resolve challenges us to consider our own obedience. How do we respond when God calls us to step outside of what’s expected or comfortable? Like Elizabeth, we might find ourselves facing questions, doubts, or even opposition from those closest to us.
There are moments in our faith journeys when we, too, must stand firm in the face of confusion. Obeying God doesn’t always make sense to others. Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense to us. But obedience is not about understanding every detail—it’s about trusting the One who calls us.
If you’ve ever felt insecure about what God has called you to do, you’re not alone. Elizabeth could have caved to the pressure to follow tradition. Zechariah’s quiet presence was a testimony to his growing faith, even in his silence. They trusted God’s plan and obeyed His Word.
Reflection: Bold Faith in Our Own Lives
As we reflect on this part of John’s story, we see how Elizabeth and Zechariah’s obedience pointed to God’s larger plan. John’s name—Yohanan, “God is gracious”—was a clear declaration of God’s work in their lives, a reminder that His promises are always fulfilled in His perfect time.
This Advent season, where might God be calling you to bold obedience? Perhaps He’s asking you to share your faith with someone, even if it feels uncomfortable. Maybe He’s nudging you to trust Him with a decision that doesn’t make sense to others. Like Elizabeth and Zechariah, you can trust that God’s plan is good and His timing is perfect.
Take a moment to reflect:
- Are you willing to obey God, even when others don’t understand?
- Where do you need to trust His plan over your own comfort or expectations?
- Who in your life might need to see the boldness of your faith this Advent?
Practical Applications
- Stand Firm in Faith: When faced with pressure to compromise, remember Elizabeth’s courage. Trust that God’s plan is worth following, even when others don’t understand.
- Seek God’s Voice: Spend time in prayer and Scripture to ensure you’re listening for His direction, not the opinions of others.
- Share Your Faith Boldly: Use this Advent season as an opportunity to share how God is at work in your life. Be a witness to His faithfulness.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the example of Elizabeth and Zechariah—their courage, obedience, and trust in Your plan. Help me to stand firm in faith, even when others question or misunderstand. Give me boldness to obey You in all things, trusting that Your ways are always best. Teach me to listen for Your voice and to follow where You lead. Amen.
Quote to Consider
"Be obedient even when you do not know where obedience may lead you." —Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson
Encouragement
Elizabeth and Zechariah remind us that obedience to God is always worth it. When you feel unsure, misunderstood, or insecure, take heart: God sees your faithfulness, and He will honor it. This Advent, be bold in your obedience and trust that His plan is far greater than you can imagine.
