The Years of Silence

1.  Over 400 years separated the final events (Nehemiah 13) and final prophecy (Malachi) recorded in the Old Testament from the beginning actions (Luke 1:5-25) narrated in the New Testament (425 – 26 B.C.).

2.  Because there was no prophetic word from God during this time, this period is sometimes called “the years of silence.”

"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.  They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but shall not find it.”  (Amos 8:11-12; 755 B.C).

3.  Though the voice of God was silent, the hand of God was actively directing the course of events during these centuries (Daniel 2:31-45; 7:1-28; 8:1-27; 11:1-35; 606 – 536 B.C.).

4.  When “the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons,” as we come to the mountain of Jehovah (Galatians 4:4-5; Isaiah 2:1-4; Micah 4:1-5; Hebrews 12:22-29).