Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 1:7-9

"And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years. Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest`s office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest`s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense." — Luke 1:7-9 (ASV)

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord,

Certain offices of the priest were considered to be more honourable than others; and so, to prevent any jealousy, they cast lots as to which they should take in turn. It fell to the lot of Zacharias to burn incense; this did not happen by chance. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord; and there was a special reason why this good man should stand at the altar at this particular time.