Read Luke 1:5-25 and focus in on verses 23-25.
23 When his (Zechariah's) time of service was completed, he returned home. 24 After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25 “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
Zechariah returned home and Elizabeth conceives. Much is left to our imagination here like how did Zechariah communicate all that happened to him in the temple to Elizabeth? And what did she think about the encounter? We're not sure but we do know the purpose of God in their lives is set into motion.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)
Verse 24 says, "After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion." Zechariah is supernaturally incapable of openly declaring the news of what God is doing; Elizabeth chooses not to. She hides herself. She conceals the plan of God for a time that it may not become known.
It's interesting that she keeps her secret for five months. The number five biblically represents Grace. In Evangelist Ed Vallowe's book, Biblical Mathematics, many scripture references are cited as confirmation of this. The number five is mentioned 318 times in scripture and it always reveals the goodness and grace of the Lord. There are five letters in the word g-r-a-c-e. David chose five smooth stones to defeat his enemy, Goliath, relying on the grace of God to fight for him. In Matthew, chapter 1, five women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, all of whom had experienced the grace of God. And, in John 5, verse 2, there were five porches at the Pool of Bethesda where the disabled could come and receive God's healing grace.
Elizabeth secluded herself not out of fear, or shame, or embarrassment; for she said, "The Lord has done this for me, in these days He has shown His favor (grace) and taken away my disgrace among the people." Another translation reads, "the Lord has dealt with me." The word dealt means to produce, form, to make ready, shoot forth, to render one anything, to celebrate, keep.*
God had moved in her life and she recognized it was only by His grace. She needed time in solitude to take it all in. Solitude is not loneliness. God often calls us to come away with Him; sometimes for a few moments, sometimes a few hours, sometimes a few days, and even sometimes a few months. Do you hear Him calling? His timing is perfect!
*Greek Strong's #4160
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