Christmas Songs - Go Tell It on thee Mountain - Luke 1:67-79 - December 20, 2009

Bible Study – Christmas Songs – Go, Tell It on the Mountain – December 20, 2009

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “God’s Christmas Songs.”

Our scripture is Luke 1:67-79.

The Christmas carol “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is an African-American spiritual song. Scholars are not certain who wrote it but some believe it was written by Fredrick Jerome Work (1880-1942) who was a black composer, teacher and scholar. The song has a beautiful message and it was named the carol of the year in 2004.

The words are:

Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and far away Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born

The shepherds all were watching Over their sheep at night When a guiding star shone from heaven And the followed that holy light

Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born

They found a lovely manger Where the humble Christ was born And God sent out salvation On that blessed Christmas morn

Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born

He brought with Him forgiveness He live to show us the way He came to redeem all creation And to wash all our sins away

Go tell it on the mountain Over the hills and everywhere Go tell it on the mountain That Jesus Christ is born (End of words)

Good news is hard to keep. We saw in our last study that Mary broke out in song when she fully comprehended that GOD had chosen her to bear the promised Messiah. This happened when she (1) saw her cousin Elizabeth pregnant which confirmed the message of the angel Gabriel (2) Elizabeth greeted her with “Blessed are you (Mary) among women, and blessed is the child you are to bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my LORD should come to me.”

Our study this week focuses on the song of Zechariah or the “Benedictus”. Benedictus means blessed and comes from the first word of the song in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible. Just as Mary’s song being called the “Magnificant”, which was the first word in the Latin Vulgate.

In the background information leading up to the angel Gabriel speaking to Mary, we reviewed the encounter that the priest Zechariah had with the angel Gabriel. As you recall, because Zechariah questioned their ability to conceive a child due to their old age, Gabriel told Zechariah that he would not be able to speak until their son was born. It appears that Zechariah could not hear because of the language in Luke 1:62:

62 So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him (his son) to be called.

Backing up a few verses to Luke 1:57-60 we see when they were going to name the baby after his father, Elizabeth blurted out “No! He will be called John.”

Luke 1:57-60:

57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. 58 Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy,[26] Lit the Lord magnified His mercy with her and they rejoiced with her. 59 When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.”

Was this Zechariah’s final confirmation that what had happened to him the day he was serving as priest was from GOD? Had he told Elizabeth what the Gabriel had told him to name the baby? We do not know. Did Zechariah not reveal this information because he wanted to be sure that what he had heard from Gabriel was accurate? It does seem that Elizabeth’s blurting out the name “John” confirmed to Zechariah the event.

Let’s read Luke 1:63-66:

63 He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN And they were all amazed. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue [set free]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , and he began to speak, praising God. 65 Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard about [him]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. took [it]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.

To me this was Zechariah’s confirmation and when he fully believed, his tongue was set free. These events were also a witness to others. Zechariah’s reaction was to erupt in a song of praise.

Let’s read Luke 1:67-71:

67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,[27] Ps 41:13 because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. 69 He has raised up a • horn[28] 1 Sm 2:1,10; 2 Sm 22:3; Dn 7—8; Zch 1:18–21 of salvation[29] A strong Savior for us in the house of His servant David, 70 just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times; 71 salvation from our enemies and from the clutches[30] Lit the hand of those who hate us.

In verse 67, we see that Zechariah was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. Yet the HOLY SPIRIT did not come to indwell the body of believers until after the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of JESUS. The HOLY SPIRIT descended upon Zechariah for this special purpose. At Pentecost, JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell all believers with power and assurance.

Zechariah began to prophesy as inspired by GOD. Verses 68-75 are focused on the promised Messiah. He praised the LORD and identified HIM as the GOD of Israel. He used the word “visited.” The Greek word for “visited” was a medical term used when a doctor rendered aid to a patient. This is a beautiful term because of the love of GOD for all mankind, HE allowed HIS only SON to die for the sins of mankind. The Messiah, by giving HIS life, would provide redemption for all who believe in HIM.
Redemption was a term used to connote that a price had to be paid to redeem a person from bondage. It was a term used to purchase slaves from their master. JESUS purchased each believer from the penalty of sin, which is death.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

19 Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.[9] Other mss add and in your spirit, which belong to God.

The Messiah would be the “horn of salvation” as GOD had promised King David about 1,000 years earlier. The term “horn of salvation” carried several thoughts. The horn of an animal represented its strength and was used for protection. Horns were used as trumpets to send messages and to sound a battle cry. They were used to hold oil to anoint kings. The altar in the temple had horns and provided a sanctuary to those in fear. A person was safe as long as he/she clung to the horns of the altar. I believe this was GOD’S message to mankind that all who seek and believe in the Messiah will find peace resulting from salvation from sin and death.

In verse 69, Zechariah spoke of the Messiah coming from the house of David. This was King David. In 2 Samuel 7:11b-16 we find the scripture where GOD told David, through the Prophet Nathan, that the Messiah would come from his lineage:

“ ‘The Lord declares to you: The Lord Himself will make a house for you. 12 When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a house for My name,[8] 1 Kg 5:2–5; 6:12; 8:18–19 and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me.[9] Ps 2:9 When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod and with blows from others. 15 But My faithful love will never leave him[10] Ps 89:21,28,33 as I removed it from Saul; I removed him from your way.[11] 1 Sm 15:24–28 16 Your house and kingdom will endure before Me[12] Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr; other Hb mss read you forever, and your throne will be established forever.’ ”[13] Ps 89:29,36 17 Nathan spoke all these words and this entire vision to David.[14] 1 Ch 17:3–15

GOD fulfills HIS promises and the Messiah will deliver all believers from the clutches of their enemies, sin and death. GOD had prophesied through the prophets of old and HE was prophesying through HIS prophet Zechariah.

Verse 71 looks back and forward “salvation from our enemies and from the clutches of those who hate us.” In essence it means “Just as GOD delivered HIS people from the bondage of slavery and from various perils along their journey to the Promised Land, the Messiah will deliver those in bondage of their enemies, sin and death.” It is easy to see why the Israelites were looking for the Messiah to deliver them from Roman rule. GOD’S involvement in the lives of the Israelites continues in our next scripture.

Let’s read Luke 1:72-77:

72 He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant— 73 the oath that He swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, 74 since we have been rescued from our enemies’ clutches,[31] Lit from the hand of enemies to serve Him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days. 76 And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,[32] Mal 3:1 77 to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.

In spite of the failings of the Israelites, GOD’S grace has been poured out upon them because of the covenant HE made with Abraham.

Reviewing the journey of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage to the Promised Land, there were many occasions that GOD’S mercy was poured out upon them. There were consequences for their disobedience but mercy and grace brought them to the Promised Land. The Messiah will extend mercy and grace to all who believe in HIM.
GOD was sending HIS promised Messiah just as HE promised Abraham in Genesis
12:1-3: (About 2,000 B.C.)

The Call of Abram
1 The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.[1] Or great. Be a blessing! [2] Zch 8:13 3 I will bless those who bless you, I will curse those who treat you with contempt,[3] Gn 27:29; Nm 24:9 and all the peoples[4] Lit clans on earth will be blessed[5] Or will find blessing through you.[6] Or will bless themselves by you [7] Gn 26:4; 28:14; Gl 3:8

The phrase “all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you” was the connection of Abraham to the promised Messiah, JESUS. Belief in JESUS through faith tied back to the faith that Abraham had in GOD. Genesis 12 is the calling of Abraham or Abram.
In Genesis 17:1-8 was the promise from GOD that Abraham and his wife Sarah would have a child:

1 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, “I am • God Almighty.[1] Gn 28:3; 35:11; Ex 6:3 Live in My presence and be devout.[2] Gn 6:9; Ps 15:2; Lk 1:6 2 I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell to the ground,[3] Lit fell on his face and God spoke with him: 4 “As for Me, My covenant is with you, and you will become the father of many nations.[4] Abraham was father not only of the Israelites, but also of the Ishmaelites, the Edomites, and the Midianites. Spiritually, he is the father of all believers; Gl 3:7,29. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram,[5] = The Father Is Exalted but your name will be Abraham,[6] = Father of a Multitude for I will make you the father of many nations.[7] Rm 4:17–18 6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you. 7 I will keep My covenant between Me and you, and your • offspring after you throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant to be your God and the [God]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. of your offspring after you. 8 And to you and your offspring after you I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession, and I will be their God.”

After the birth of Abraham and Sarah’s only son, Isaac, GOD subjected Abraham, in my opinion, to the ultimate test of faith when HE asked Abraham to offer his only son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to HIM. Genesis 22:15-18 was an account of the event after Abraham passed the ultimate test of faith in GOD: (Abraham’s faith in GOD was such that he believed if Isaac was reduced to ashes, GOD would restore him.)

15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son,[8] Sam, LXX, Syr, Vg add from Me [9] Rm 8:32 17 I will indeed bless you and make your • offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies. 18 And all the nations of the earth will be blessed[10] Or will bless themselves, or will find blessing by your offspring[11] Gn 12:3 because you have obeyed My command.”

Verse 18 was GOD’S covenant with Abraham that the Messiah would come from his offspring because of his faith in HIM. WOW!!! That to me is mind boggling. All of this occurred about 2,000 years before CHRIST was born. What an awesome GOD we serve.

Through the Messiah, all who believe in HIM are rescued from sin and death. Not only rescued from sin and death but also made righteous through JESUS.

2 Corinthians 5:21:
21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (all believers) might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Verse 74, states that believers would serve HIM without fear but they will serve in confidence that they will not come under judgment. John 5:24 quotes the words of JESUS:
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Christians have been forgiven for their sins, born into the family of GOD through the miracle of the rebirth, become citizens of heaven, have eternal life and are indwelled by the HOLY SPIRIT as the assurance or down payment that their faith in CHRIST is solid and secured by GOD Himself. In essence, every believer has symbolically died physically and been resurrected spiritually. Therefore, when a believer dies physically he/she will immediately be in heaven with GOD and CHRIST.

In verse 76, Zechariah was referring to his child John. We know him as John the Baptist or John the baptizer because he baptized believers who had repented of their sins. John was to be the herald or forerunner of the Messiah. A herald ran before a king or VIP to ensure that the road was clear and in good repair. He also alerted the people ahead to prepare for the arrival of this person. If the road needed to be repaired, they would see to it that the road was repaired. John was repairing the spiritual road to salvation which was in need of repair because of the flawed Jewish religious system.

John the Baptist was to prepare the way for mankind to receive salvation offered by the Messiah or the Most High. John preached repentance from sin and that the Messiah would provide forgiveness and salvation. Once JESUS fulfilled HIS passion, believers would have direct access to GOD and no longer needed to go through a priest.

Let’s read Luke 1:78-79:

78 Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn[33] Jr 23:5; Zch 3:8; 6:12 LXX from on high[34] Lk 24:49; Isaiah 58:8; Eph 4:8 will visit us 79 to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death,[35] Isaiah 9:2; 60:2–3 to guide our feet into the way of peace.

These verses are specific to the Messiah. It is only because of GOD’S mercy that HE gave permission for HIS ONLY SON to come to earth, live as a human and die for the sins of mankind. JESUS was willing to come but GOD had to allow HIM to come.

The next words are beautiful, “the Dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness---.” The Messiah will come from GOD and will “visit” us. This means HE will come to us as a physician visits the sick. HE will come to those in spiritual need. The words refer back to prophesy found in Isaiah 9:2 and used again by Matthew in Matthew 4:16.

Isaiah 9:2:
2 [2] Isa 9:1 in Hb The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of darkness, a light has dawned.

Matthew 4:16:
16 The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned.[8] Lit dawned on them [9] Isaiah 9:1–2

“The original metaphor here refers to a party of travelers who, before reaching their
destination, have been overtaken by darkness of a pitch-black night and are now sitting terrified and powerless and expect any moment to be overwhelmed and killed by wild beasts or enemies. But all at once a bright light appears to show them the way, so that they reach their destination safely where they enjoy rest and peace.” (1)
(1) Norval Gledenduys, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament [Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956], 95.

Our young son and I went spelunking (Exploring caves). We went with the Boy Scouts and always had an experienced guide. The first thing we learned was the absolute importance of having several dependable light sources. I recall a time that we were working our way around a steep wall deep in a cave. About 20 feet down there were sharp pointed rocks with little to grab hold of and narrow places to place our feet along the wall. The wall made a sharp right turn and I thought, “This would not be a good place for my light to go out.” The person in front of me went around the corner and it was black dark. I started around and you guessed it, my light went out. I paused for a moment and the person behind me began to work his way around the previous corner I had come around. As he approached that corner, his light gave me enough light to see where to place my hands to go safely around the corner. Light is so important when you are in total darkness. Even a very little light in total darkness is welcomed.

Mankind was and still is in spiritual darkness due to sin but JESUS is clearly the light of the world. Zechariah’s reference to the Messiah as the Dawn was to show that HE was coming from GOD just as the rising sun was a gift from GOD every day. The Messiah is a gift from GOD to the people of earth, to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles.

Zechariah was overwhelmed with joy and broke out in song which included prophesy from the Old Testament and he was giving new prophesy regarding both the Messiah and his son, John.

GOD has given to all mankind a great light and this light is JESUS. Have you accepted HIM as your SAVIOR and made HIM the LORD of your life? If not, why not do it right now by asking JESUS to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. When you do, go tell it to someone immediately. In fact, go tell it on the mountain that JESUS CHRIST is the LORD of your life. No better Christmas gift than the gift of forgiveness, eternal life, becoming the child of GOD, becoming a citizen of heaven and the HOLY SPIRIT.