and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob," - Matthew 1:13-15 

400 YEARS OF SILENCE 

Roughly 400 years of silence from the Lord. Had he abandoned His people; was He going to be faithful to His promises?

Waiting - The action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens.

There were about 400 years between the prophecies of Malachi and the opening of the New Testament. These are called “silent years” because there were no inspired words from God during this time. But there were major changes that prepared the world for the arrival of Jesus. 400 years of waiting, wondering, doubting, and fearing. 400 years of questioning whether God would ever speak again. 400 years of worrying that God had abandoned Israel once and for all. 

When we come to the book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, the writings and the voice of prophets cease to exist for this 400-year span. Not until the coming of Christ will they reappear again. But we know the promise of the One to come was waiting! In the first chapter of Matthew, we see the Genealogy of Jesus that leads us to His birth. 

When we look at the time between the Old and New Testaments, we can imagine facing hardship and strife. Their world was not easy and their troubles were many. They were waiting on a Savior, the one promised to bring them peace. But day after day, no one came.

We can look back and see how God waited until the timing was perfect to send His son, but they couldn’t see it. They just had to trust God’s word and His character and believe the Savior was coming.

No matter the troubles we face and the plans we have, we must trust that God is in control and His timing is perfect.

He is working for our good and for His glory!