1. (b) Misn. It was probably a Levitical city, and the residence of Zechariah when he was not employed in the temple. Background Reading: – Mary visits Elizabeth. And what thoughts would fill her adoring heart as she sped on her mission! By making something of herself she would have lost her place; but this she did not. 39. hill country—the mountainous tract running along the middle of Judea, from north to south [Webster and Wilkinson]. Then we have the whole interchange between Mary and Elizabeth, Mary's song, and then verse 56 which speaks of Mary staying "about" 3 months. (c) T. Hieros. 43 Why should this happen to me, to have the mother of my Lord visit me? *She, with her husband, was well stricken in years. - Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste. Woe unto you that laugh now! 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby jumped in her womb. She had thus unfalteringly laid hold of God's word, unhesitatingly concluding that what He had promised He would certainly perform. (n) That is to say, Hebron: which was in times past called Kirjatharba: which was one of the towns that were given to the Levites in the tribe of Judah, and is said to be in the mountains of Judah; Jos 14:15; 21:11. "Herself the object of the divine favour, she yet took the lowest place before the one who was to become the mother of her Lord. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. She died childless on 17 November 1558 and was buried in the Abbey on 14 December 1558. Love then flows out unhinderedly, and humility is the fruit of love. Excited that her cousin was expecting, Mary rushed off to see her. Maimon & Bartenora in ib. Mary arose in those days — That is, soon after the time that she had received the extraordinary message mentioned above; and went into the hill-country — Where Elisabeth dwelt, although it was at least seventy miles distant from Nazareth. Mary's Visit to Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-56. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh … . Mary must have been bursting to talk to a woman who could personally understand her excitement, her wonder, and probably her nervousness, too. Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste. ), Let these words of Mary be given in their entirety, that the reader may perceive more fully their divine meaning and beauty: -, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, Mary's Visit to Elizabeth. Two things will not fail to arrest the attention in Mary's song. Meanwhile, that home was the one spot on earth that attracted and concentred the attention of heaven. Far and wide let these solemn words run - encouragement and comfort to the poor, the suffering, and afflicted people of God, and as loud warnings to those who are seeking their satisfaction and exaltation in this world. For nothing is impossible with God." The only person she knows who will be able to understand her is her relative Elizabeth. 4. Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. a city of Juda—probably Hebron (see Jos 20:7; 21:11). In Christianity, the Visitation is the visit of Blessed Virgin Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, to St. Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, Luke 1:39–56.. 112. Consider exactly what Mary was hurrying towards in the Visitation account. It will be at once observed that Elizabeth, as "filled with the Holy Ghost," is in entire communion with the mind of God as to Mary. So how did Mary get to see Elizabeth? These remarks will help us in our consideration of this striking song of praise - a song which has been well described as "the proper celebration of Israel's joy in the gift of Christ." Then, after describing the effect upon her of Mary's salutation, she proclaimed a third character of blessedness. Her individuality was merged for the moment, under the mighty action of the Holy Ghost, in Israel,. As He spake to our fathers, Mary then accepted what God had offered her. Happy is she who believed that the things which the Lord hath promised her shall be performed; ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις. The Lord Himself proclaimed the same lesson when He said, "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Mary’s trip also demonstrates the call of community. Gabriel had revealed to Mary that God had also visited her cousin Elizabeth, and with the sense of what was to be accomplished through herself, whether she understood or not the full import of the communication she had received, she had been made to feel that there was one friend to whom she could pour out her soul. Entering into these thoughts, the reader will readily understand the language of this song of praise. the natural suspicion of her betrothed future husband, Joseph. Mary concludes her song with the language already referred to, "He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever." So based on this timeline, my guess is she went there to help Elizabeth with her final trimester and perhaps the birthing issues. 4. And exalted them of low degree. Like Abraham, she staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but "found strength in faith," giving glory to God. (Zechariah 9:9.) (4) Elisabeth being many months pregnant with John, and Mary being pregnant with Christ, do rejoice for each other by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. with haste—transported with the announcement to herself and with the tidings, now first made known to her, of Elisabeth's condition. 69. And the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath showed strength with His arm; It appears to me," the writer proceeds, "that this is an honourable distinction for her. For there shall be a performance of those things. Queen Mary had the tiara altered to be more adaptable, particularly to accommodate a set of 15 emerald drops won by Mary’s grandmother in a charity lottery. 2. Mary, on the other hand, regards the deliverance as already effected - effected in the One who was about to be born - and thus she says that "God has holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.". For while it is the utterance of the feelings which had been produced in Mary's heart by the Holy Ghost, and feelings which were suited and responsive to the distinguishing grace bestowed upon her, Mary herself was lost, so to speak, in her being a type of Israel. Luke 1:39-45. The hill country - The region in the vicinity of Jerusalem, commonly called the hill country of Judea. told by the Angel that her kinswoman Elizabeth has conceived a child in her old age Some have supposed it to be Jerusalem, others Hebron; but all is conjecture. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is His name. Whenever there is a real work of the Spirit of God in the souls of His people, their hearts ascend to the source whence their blessing has come. Mary was blessed as the object of God's sovereign favour, she was blessed as the vessel for the incarnation of our Lord, and she was blessed on account of her faith - faith which surmounted all obstacles, and reposed upon the almighty power of God. "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." Elizabeth, fearing that Mary might go abroad and raise an army, and also afraid that the people of Scotland might lock her up, acted quickly to imprison her nemesis in Lochleven Castle, from which Mary successfully plotted her escape. Mary’s relative, the Levite priest Zechariah, had an encounter with the angel Gabriel in the Temple. So at this time, Mary was not yet pregnant. Sometimes, our physical presence is the best gift we can give another person. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Mary went “in haste” to visit Elizabeth, hoping that their caravan wouldn’t be overrun by those who lurked in the shadows and caves of the mountains… The next three verses set forth the principles of God's actings in grace, and the condition of soul requisite for its reception. Why Did Mary Go in Haste to Visit Elizabeth? "She spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. He hath holpen His servant Israel, Sota, fol. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and she loudly exclaimed, “How blessed are you among women, and how blessed is the infant in your womb! (1:36-37) And so Mary hurriedly prepares for a trip to see Elizabeth. On a natural level, this is a woman who wanted to share the joy of an unexpected pregnancy with her cousin. From generation to generation. The Bible History Guy. Gittin, fol. Whenever there is a work of grace in souls they are drawn together in the bonds of divine love. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem" (Isaiah 52:7-9); or again, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee." For whatever might be the holiness of the instrument that God might employ - and that was found really in Mary - yet she was only great so long as she hid herself, for then God was everything.