The Time Between Nehemiah and John the Baptist

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1

Steps: 4, 5

In the providence of God there was much silence between God and man from the time of Nehemiah down through history until the time of John the Baptist. God did not send prophets to communicate His will to men. He simply watched over His people and preserved them until the time of Messiah came. Yet the true people of God held on to the promises of God and they waited as well and kept the Word of God as the central part of their experience. They waited for the sure word of prophecy to be fulfilled. They knew that there would be a forerunner because God told them that it would happen in the above verse. When this text is combined with the promises of Daniel 9 the people had some appreciation of when the fullness of time would come and God gave them opportunity to prepare their hearts and be ready to meet God when He came to Earth as a man like His brethren, like us.

Prayer for Today: This promise of Your coming is a difficult idea to process. How can the God of the universe come as a simple human being? These thoughts are amazing to us, and we are sure that these thoughts were amazing to Your people long ago. Help us to profit by their faith and to believe that You would do all of these things to help us. Thank You for the opportunity to wrestle with these ideas. Grant us faith to accept You at Your word.