“Anticipation breeds delight, especially when we are waiting for something that brings us joy.”
(from Good News, Great Joy by The Daily Grace Co., page 41)
We anticipate many things over the course of our lives:
- graduation
- our wedding date
- the birth of a child
- getting a job or promotion
- the purchase of a car or home
The quote made me wonder – what happens when our anticipation is not met in our time frame?
That is exactly what happened to the Israelites. They were waiting for a prophet but never expected they would be waiting 400 years.
Not only 400 years, but 400 years of silence.
Then Zacharias receives a word from an angel – a prophetic word. The silence would be broken.
The study raises this question: How would you feel as an Israelite during the 400 years of silence?
Not how would you feel afterwards. During.
We struggle to wait for an answer from a text message for very long any more. We get impatient, wondering why the person on the other end isn’t responding.
During those 400 years of waiting, we might be asking questions: What is taking so long? Is God mad at me? Will He ever speak to me again? Why is God quiet? Has He forgotten me? Has He left me for good?
Thinking about the 400 years of silence, was such a wonderful reminder.
The silence was broken by Jesus – the living Word – the logos – and He has been speaking ever since.
The other prophets went silent in their day. But Jesus, and His Word, shall last forever.
“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NASB)
Jesus was present in the beginning of the world, and has been holding all things together by the power of His Word.
Even when our God is silent, He is still at work.
May we lean into Him, listen to His Word,
and let Hm prepare our hearts to receive all He has for us!
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
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I’m so intrigued by the faithfulness of believers during the 400 year silence. How does one keep coming back to promises that were generations old without the indwelling Spirit‘s help?
I love that quote, Joanne. Thanks for the wonderful post.
As I read your words, this verse comes to mind, Joanne – ‘And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.’
– Romans 5:5.
Thank You, Lord.
“Even when our God is silent, He is still at work.” Thank you for that reminder of His faithfulness and love, Joanne.