Luke 1:7
French (La Bible expliquée)
Mais ils n'avaient pas d'enfant, car Élisabeth ne pouvait pas en avoir et ils étaient déjà âgés tous les deux. Malgré leur fidélité exemplaire à Dieu, le prêtre Zacharie et sa femme Élisabeth restent sans enfant. Or, à l'époque, la stérilité était perçue comme une sanction de Dieu et une humiliation pour la femme. Étant donné leur âge, tout espoir d'une descendance semble définitivement perdu. Et pourtant Dieu choisit ce moment pour répondre à leur attente. En effet, l'ange Gabriel visite Zacharie tandis qu'il s'adonne au service de l'offrande du parfum. Ce service ne survenait qu'une ou deux fois par an. Dieu exauce la prière au-delà des attentes de Zacharie: non seulement il aura un fils, mais le rôle de celui-ci sera décisif dans le plan de Dieu pour son peuple. Zacharie a du mal à y croire. Comme Abraham avant lui, il demande un signe (Gen 15.8). C'est pourquoi le signe qu'il reçoit est inattendu: il restera muet jusqu'à l'accomplissement de la parole de l'ange. Devenue féconde, Élisabeth se situe dans la lignée des femmes de l'ancienne alliance qui, malgré leur stérilité, ont aussi obtenu une descendance (Sara, Rébecca, Rachel, Anne). Ce récit annonce le renouveau que Dieu va opérer dans l'histoire de l'humanité.
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that Zacharias and Elisabeth had no children because Elisabeth could not have babies, and they were very old. It's from the Gospel of Luke, which was written by a doctor who wanted to share Jesus' life story.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing with building blocks but can't build anything new because your toy box is empty, even though you really want to play. This verse is like that - Zacharias and Elisabeth were very sad because they couldn’t have a baby, just like how you’d feel if you couldn’t make something new when you’re excited.
Historical Background
The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke around the year 80 AD for Gentile Christians. It tells the story of Jesus’ birth and ministry from an outsider's perspective, emphasizing God’s love for all people.
Living It Out Today
Today, many couples face infertility or struggle with starting a family due to age. This verse reminds us that challenges can be part of our journey, just as they were for Zacharias and Elisabeth, who later had John the Baptist despite their difficulties.
Topics
hopefaithinfertilityagingdivine interventionjoy
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God allow Elisabeth to be barren?
The story doesn't give a direct answer, but it shows that even when life is challenging, God can work through those challenges. Elisabeth’s barrenness was part of the divine plan leading up to John the Baptist's birth.
How old were Zacharias and Elisabeth?
The exact ages are not given in Luke 1:7, but it is clear they were elderly when Elizabeth conceived. This detail highlights their advanced age, emphasizing God’s powerful intervention.
What can we learn about faith from Zacharias and Elisabeth's story?
Their story teaches us that faith means trusting in God even when circumstances seem impossible. Despite being old and childless, they continued to trust in God's promises.
How does this verse connect with other Bible stories of barrenness?
This verse connects with several biblical narratives where women who were previously unable to conceive become pregnant, showing God’s power over nature and His fulfillment of promises, such as Sarah in Genesis and Hannah in Samuel.