Part of a Series:
Preparing the Way
By Steve Dunn
Text: Romans 5:6
For basically 400 years, God went silent. After centuries of prophets calling us people
to repent and return to the way of the Lord, no new prophets were raised up. Malachi, was center stage from 417-437 was the
last of a line if spokespersons for nearly 400 years before that beginning with
Joel (835-796 BC) and Obadiah (850-840 BC).
How did Israel and Judah deal with this silence? By growing increasingly under the influence of
the Greco-Roman culture and its values.
By degenerating into a highly legalistic religion that focused on
separation and performance instead of genuine repentance and obedience. And in
their weakened, divided state become unruly vassals of the Roman Empire. For many a generally a frustrated physical
and empty spiritual life.
Did you ever wonder why God went silent? I often think of the adult leading a group of
loud, unruly and disrespectful batch of kids.
The leader needs to gain control of the situation by getting them under
control, but first he has to get their attention.
I believe that God used silence to get their attention so
that when he entered the world, they might finally recognize the state of their
lives and the world and be ready for something new. The Good News of the Kingdom.
God’s ways are often beyond our comprehension. “For My
thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the
LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than
your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, Berean Study
Bible)
What is important is the understanding that He does His work
when He thinks we are ready to finally receive
it. “When we were utterly helpless,
Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
Are you close to God at this time or far away? Are you still banking that your way is the
best way or is it finally time to follow the way of the Lord?
© 2018 by Stephen L. Dunn. You have permission to reprint this provided
it is unchanged, proper authorship is cited, it is in a publication not for
sale, and a link is provided to this site or to www.drstevedunn.com. For all other uses, contact Steve at sdunnpastor@gmail.com
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