God Was Silent

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV)

Four hundred years is a long time for God to remain silent. Yet, in the time leading up to the birth of the Savior, God was still.

The Israelites had returned to their homeland after captivity in Babylon, but it seemed the glory years of the nation were over. Now, 400 years later, they inhabited their own land but lived under Roman rule. Even worse, since the prophet Malachi spoke his final words until the present, there had been no prophetic voice in the land. God sent no prophets and gave no revelations. He had not spoken directly to His people for four centuries.

What would it be like to live years and years without hearing from the Lord? Were the people desperate to receive a word from Him? Were they hungry for His voice? Or did they even notice that God was silent? Oh, Jewish religious life went on as usual. The Temple was a prominent landmark in Jerusalem, holy days were celebrated, and sacrifices were still made. But God remained silent.

Now His silence was about to end.

The prophets of old had long spoken of a promise that was yet to be fulfilled. Over 300 Old Testament prophecies spoke of a Messiah that would come to save His people. Those prophecies were very specific about the events that would surround His birth. The Messiah would be:

• from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10, Luke 3:33)
• from the House of David (Jeremiah 23:5, Luke 3:23, 31)
• born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1:35)
• born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:4-6)
• presented with gifts (Psalm 72:10, Matthew 2:1-11)
• taken to Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:14-15)
• called Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)

The Messiah did come—just as promised—but sadly few recognized Him. They wanted a conquering hero to overthrow Roman rule. He came as a small, innocent baby. God came to them in the flesh, ready to break the silence, but not everyone listened. He fulfilled every prophecy, but they remained unconvinced. At just the right time in history, God came to reconcile us to Himself.

“But 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.” (Galatians 4:4-5, NKJV)

For many, life went on as if God had not stepped into our world, as if nothing miraculous had happened that starry night in Bethlehem. The silence was broken by the angel’s proclamation, but their unbelieving hearts refused to hear. Unfortunately, even today many still refuse to recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world. Their hearts are closed to His presence.

During this Christmas season let us rejoice that our Savior has truly come. The silence is broken. God loves you and is calling you to Him. Are you listening?

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (I John 4:10, NKJV)

Thank You, Lord, for speaking to my heart. Thank You for coming to my world so that I can be saved.