When the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in the temple, and told him that his wife Elisabeth should have a son, who should be great in the sight of the Lord, being filled with the Holy Ghost, and who should turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, Zacharias said: "Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years." (Luke 1:18)
For this question he was made dumb, and was unable to speak until after the birth of the son.
Six months later the same angel came to Mary, in Nazareth, and told her that she should bring forth a son, who should be named Jesus, who should be great, and should be called the Son of the Highest, and that He should reign for ever over a kingdom that should have no end. Immediately Mary asked, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?" (Luke 1:34)
No reproof was given for this question, but it was answered at once.
Why were these two questions so differently received? Evidently because they were prompted by entirely different motives. This plainly appears when we closely consider them.
Zacharias said, "Whereby shall I know this?" showing that he doubted the message. He wanted proof of the words of the angel of the Lord. He was punished for unbelief.
Mary's question, on the other hand, showed that she fully believed the message, but that she wanted further information. She said, "How shall this be?" She believed, but wanted to know what part, if any, she had to act in the matter, and her desire for more light was granted.
In these two cases we have illustrated two classes of questions that are asked:
1. There are many questions that show unbelief as fully as could be done by any positive statement. Such questions are wicked and ought never to be asked, as God does not answer them.
2. There are other questions that show the desire of a believing soul to receive more light and knowledge. Such questions always receive an answer from the Lord.
The promise is that: "If any lack wisdom, and ask for it in faith, it shall be given them." (James 1:5)--Present Truth, August 17, 1893--Original title: Front Page--Timeline: Nativity-1 (The Announcement to Zacharias), 2 (The Annunciation)--Luke 1:18, 34.