Wisdom verses Consequence

     In the first chapter of Luke we see the detailed account of the angel Gabriel visiting two individuals, first Zechariah and then Mary, the mother of Jesus.  In the first account after Zechariah had received the news from this messenger of God, he asked the angel "How"?   Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”   Luke 1:18 (ESV) In the second account, Mary received a greeting from this same messenger, she asked the angel "How"?   Here we see her question:  "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"  Luke 1:34 (ESV) Both seem to be asking similar questions; however, with one questioner, he receives a curse (or consequences), and with the other, she receives an explanation. 

     For Zechariah, the angel responded, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.   And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”   Luke 1:19-20 (ESV) It becomes apparent from this passage that the angel was able to pass judgment through his message based on the way in which Zechariah's question was steeped in doubt.  Zechariah, a priest, and a son of a priest should have been able to rely upon the scriptures when asking his question.  His forefather, Abraham, through a miracle from God, was able to conceive a child through Sarah when she was "well along in years."  The consequence of his doubt was that he would not be able to speak until the eighth day following the birth of his son John (the Baptist).   Scriptures reveal, '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.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.'  Luke 1:59-64 (ESV)  Zechariah received understanding through the consequences of silencing his question.

      For Mary, who we understand to be young in years and betrothed to Joseph, received this explanation, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  Luke 1:35-38 (ESV)  Mary received understanding through her faithful response to the news she received.  In addition to learning how she was also given the gift of truth that "nothing is impossible with God." Which could have just as easily been spoken to Zechariah, but was not.

     In the book, The Divine Mentor, Wayne Cordeiro explains, "Life has given us two very effective teachers. Both are topflight instructors, but neither comes cheap. While both are effective, both require something of us. We have to choose one or the other, and if we choose neither, the second will be chosen for us. The teachers are Wisdom and Consequences. We can learn a great deal from either teacher."  This certainly seems to be the case when comparing the experience of Zechariah and Mary.  The difference between these two teachers is how the lesson is received.   Cordeiro goes on to explain, "Wisdom teaches you the lesson before you make the mistake. On the other hand, consequences demand that you make the mistake first. Only then will it teach you the lesson."

     Someday we may be able to ask our biblical mentor, Zechariah, How was it to be silenced for a time after doubting the message given to you by God?  What wisdom did you learn that you can impart on us?  We may also have the same opportunity to ask Mary, How was it that your faith was so strong that you could say, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”   Luke 1:38 (ESV)  It is okay to ask questions in our search for understanding.  We learn here that when we ask in order to understand, the lesson we receive can come through wisdom, but when we ask questioning God's ability, the lesson we receive may come through consequence.  Wisdom seems to be a much better option which we can learn through the experiences of others.