Zechariah’s Silence

Luke 1

“Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.’ Then the angel said, ‘I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was He who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.’” Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬ I have never understood how Zechariah’s disbelief could be held against him. Wouldn’t we all question being in the presence of a heavenly being, wanting to make sure he was legit? How was Zechariah supposed to know who Gabriel was—unless God had spoken to him previously, foretelling of Gabriel’s arrival? But I don’t see that here. So no voice for months seems harsh, though I’m not one to question how God works to get our attention.