I was reading about the time a priest went into the Holy of Holies to do his duties (at the risk of his life) and was visited by Gabriel, an archangel. Gabriel is known to stand in God’s presence and is a powerful messenger of God. The priest was filled with fear. Gabriel struck him mute because he didn’t believe his message. .
I’ve always thought of muteness as being punishment and likely was for hacking off the angel. But in personal experience there might have an upside. You see if God uniquely speaks to you and it takes time and patience for the revelation to works it’s way into your life, you might just begin to wonder if you even heard God.
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In the case of the priest, his muteness would have been a daily reminder of his Holy encounter with a messenger from God. When the doubt came with time, his muteness would speak louder than his memory and God would be glorified.
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“The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.””~Luke
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So now I wait… without the encouragement of muteness… just sayin’…
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God Spots 
Archie, this is a great way to see this. I’ve been contemplating this story for a few weeks now. The whole thing of Gabriel being the one bringing the news to both Mary and Ole’ Zach.
The concept of the inability to talk being the daily and constant reminder of KNOWING that one has actually heard from God…an amazing reminder!
I completely agree!
Thank you Jack and EON8 for your thoughts. The idea came to mind again today. I wondered if I’d be ok with being mute….