There are approximately 400 years in Jewish history unaccounted for in protestant canonical scriptures. This time is known as the intertestamental period – the years between the Old and the New Testament from Nehemiah until the birth of Jesus Christ (c. 430 – 5 BC).

Due to the absence of prophetic revelation, scholars call this period the “Silent Years.” However, this era is anything but silent when it comes to historical and cultural changes. Social and political events during this time were crucial to shaping the New Testament world. 

The "Silent Years" of prophetic revelation in the history of Israel between Nehemiah and the Jesus' birth is anything but silent when it comes to historical and cultural changes. #Christmas2022 #ChristmasisHere #ChristmasMessage
Click To Tweet

Perhaps the most remarkable spiritual significance of this period is the progressive persecution of the Jews.

These four centuries mark a time of dominance of four distinctive empires:

The Persian Period (450-330 BC) started about 100 years after Nehemiah’s time. Even though the Persians controlled Judah, the Jews were still allowed to continue their religious observances, and the high priests would answer to Persian authorities.

The Hellenistic Period (330-166 BC) started when Alexander the Great defeated the Persians repeatedly, quickly conquering the Eastern Mediterranean region. Alexander believed Greek culture was superior and would be the common force to unify the world.

During his time, Alexander allowed the Jews to observe their laws and customs and even exempted them from taxes during the sabbath years. But it was also a time when many Jews started to adopt Greek culture and practices, thus considerably impacting the Jewish culture and religion.

The Hasmonean Period (166-63 BC) started with great oppression of the Jews. The Seleucid rulers of Syria were resolute in forcing Hellenism on them. The persecution culminated with orders to destroy copies of scriptures and ban circumcision and other Jewish practices.

When the Roman period started in 53 BC, the Roman general Pompey captured Jerusalem, and all the provinces in the Holy Land became subject to Rome. Local vassal kings and later Roman governors monitored Jewish law and practices.

Four Centuries!

These four hundred years of prophetic silence and religious oppression undoubtedly led the faithful remnant among God’s people to wonder if He had forgotten them. But then, somewhere between 27-29 AD, during the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the silence was broken when John the Baptist started his ministry, announcing the coming of the Messiah.

Four hundred years of prophetic silence and religious oppression undoubtedly led the faithful remnant among God’s people to wonder if He had forgotten them. #Christmas2022 #ChristmasisHere #ChristmasMessage
Click To Tweet

Understanding the four centuries of foreign oppression in Israel is crucial to better comprehending the spiritual landscape in the Holy Land when Christ was born. The core of the Jewish establishment and religion had changed dramatically, and 400 years of persecution made people eager to welcome their redeemer.

Rejection

Many rejected Him. But many understood that they were witnessing the fulfillment of the prophecies that declared that God’s redemption would come as a humble Baby who would ultimately become the perfect Lamb for the final sacrifice for humanity’s sins. That baby’s birth would break not only God’s silence but also restore the fellowship between Him and all who put their faith in the Savior.

Maybe you are reading this today and find yourself in a long period resembling the “Silent Years” when the Jews awaited deliverance. Maybe God’s “silence” makes you wonder if He still hears your prayers. Perhaps the faith you once had has been drowned by the weight of wrong choices, or busyness has reduced that “still small voice” to complete silence.

Maybe God’s 'silence' makes you wonder if He still hears your prayers. Perhaps the faith you once had has been drowned by the weight of wrong choices, or busyness has reduced that 'still small voice' to complete silence. #Christmas2022…
Click To Tweet

If that is you, may these advent days remind you that the “Silent Years” ended when that blessed baby drew His first breath on this earth. If you have placed your trust in Him, His Holy Spirit is ever near, ready to revive his relationship with all prodigal sons and daughters.

The silence ended over 2,000 ago. Let us live in the awareness that God is always and forever one prayer away from his children.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website.

The post God’s Silence doesn’t Mean He is Absent {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

At around 538 B.C., the Jews started returning from Babylon after 70 years of captivity. As God’s chosen people returned from exile, it was clear that the insidious, pagan practices of their oppressors permeated the Jew’s lifestyle and worship. Therefore, each prophet had been entrusted by God to admonish his people to abandon their rebellious and idolatrous ways in this postexilic era of Israel’s history.

Haggai and Zechariah’s messages confronted the Jews concerning their neglect of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, as well as their false and profane worship. Malachi was the recipient of the last prophetic message before the 400 years of “silence” between the Old Testament prophets and the birth of Jesus Christ. The purpose of his message was to confront the Jews with their sin and announce judgment against unrighteousness.

As one reads the book of Malachi, however, the message of judgment is intertwined with God’s promises and the grace he vowed to offer, even while judgment was poured out. The central message of the last book in the Old Testament speaks of a breach that is not irreparable and a hope that is not lost. God wants to bridge the gap, and even his judgment is full of grace.

God wants to bridge the gap, and even his judgment is full of grace. @AJC
Click To Tweet

I thought about God’s grace to us during trials as I came across one of the messianic references in the third chapter of Malachi:

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.” (Vs. 2-3)

The message was directed initially at the Levites, whose primary role in the temple included singing psalms during services, performing maintenance, security, and construction. However, as it is often the case with scriptures, the imagery offers a beautiful parallel concerning God’s methods and purpose for our trials.

The passage inspired me to research how silver is refined and purified. I found out that since ancient times, there are several methods of silver refining, and most of them are similar to the process of refining gold.

One of the earliest methods is called “cupellation,” and it involves heating crude silver at extremely high temperatures until it is liquefied and adding certain substances such as nitric acid to help absorb the impurities. Once the pollutants are consumed, and the temperature is just right, the liquefied silver should become as clear as a mirror. According to tradition, when the silversmith can see his/her reflection in the metal, it is ready to pour. Both the temperature and the moment to take the metal out of the fire must be precise, or it could destroy the silver. For that reason, the craftsman must “sit” as the verse in Malachi says, and carefully manage the process, tempering the metal until it’s ready, controlling the heat and timing.

What a powerful metaphor of God’s wisdom and grace! The vision of a skilled silversmith watching over the intensity of the fire should make us understand and trust God’s hand in the heat of the great trials that we must face in life.

Just as the silver does not know anything but the heat applied to its rough form, we too often do not understand why God allows the temperature of pain and suffering that some of life’s circumstances bring.  But the melting and transforming of silver from crude metal to a beautiful substance that can be used to make useful vessels, mirror the process used by God to mold us so we can become powerful tools in His hands.

Just as the silver does not know anything but the heat applied to its rough form, we too often do not understand why God allows the temperature of pain and suffering that some of life's circumstances bring. @AJC #MondayMotivation
Click To Tweet

Oh! What a marvelous thought to reach the end of a trial and realize that the Father – the Master Craftsman of the universe – sat beside us the entire time! Indeed, He watches over the furnace, ever aware of how much heat to apply and how long we must stay in the fire, so that all impurities may come to the surface, and He can see more of His reflection in us.

Then and only then, can He use us as His vessels and tools to carry out His purposes in the world.

This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday,  November 9, 2019.

The post Making Silver: the Heat of our Trials {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.