God Behind the Waiting

The time between Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, and Matthew was about 400 years. That’s a long time. For reference, our nation is not yet 250 years old. During those four centuries, God sent no new prophets and gave no new messages. History simply moved forward: the Babylonian Empire fell to Persia, Persia to Greece, and Greece eventually gave way to Rome. But while God seemed silent, He was not absent. During Greek rule, Jewish communities absorbed much of the Greek language and culture, so much so that the Old Testament was translated into Greek, known as the Septuagint. Then, when Rome rose to power, the world experienced a technological revolution in its vast network of roads, connecting cities for travel and commerce. In a time when heaven felt quiet, God was preparing the world for the Good News to travel farther than ever before. The Messiah was coming. His death and resurrection would transform the world and bring humanity back into peace with God. The common language and the roadways were instrumental in the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. In Advent, we celebrate Christ’s first coming in Bethlehem, and we await His return with longing. Once again we wait—not for salvation, but for restoration once and for all. Waiting can feel arduous or meaningless, but God’s silence never means His absence. Now that we know the One who fulfilled hundreds of Old Testament prophecies, waiting becomes an act of trust. Our present struggles only magnify our longing for the day when Jesus makes all things new. I am always encouraged when I reflect on His promise to His disciples that He is preparing a place for those who are His (John 14:3). Someone once said, “If God made a world this beautiful in seven days, imagine what our eternal home with God will look like.” Waiting becomes joyful when we remember that God “works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). So wait with hope. Wait in peace. Wait with joy. Wait with love. God may be silent, but He is not absent. Waiting with you, Pastor Jason Ko