TUESDAY January 31, 2017
The Lord of History
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. - Daniel 2:20-21
Malachi prophesied during or shortly after the time of Nehemiah. After Malachi’s prophecy the Old Testament comes to an ends. Then begins the four hundred years of silence, where the Lord does not speak to His people through His prophets. During this period the Medes and Persians ruled and governed Israel. After these kingdoms the Grecian king Alexander the Great conquered the world. After his reign the Romans ruled the ancient world for centuries.
It is interesting historically to break down the different years these kingdoms ruled. First we see that Babylonians ruled for seventy years. Secondly the Grecians arose and become conquers for another two hundred years. Thirdly the Medo-Persians ruled and occupied Israel for another two hundred years. Fourthly came the Romans; they ruled for a span of about fifteen hundred years.
The story of the Gospel is incredible; it weaves its way through all these historical kingdoms of the ancient world, into four hundred years of silence. God breaks this silence when He sent the angel Gabriel to speak to Zacharias and Mary. After all these years, God was going to do a new work among His people––the Messiah, Jesus Christ would come.
The New Testament book of Matthew begins with genealogies that lead to the Christ. Interestingly, five women are written in Jesus’ lineage, it shows to us God’s grace and redemption. Historically, Jesus Christ has made it so easy for us to understand the Gospel.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, andfrom the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations. ~Matthew 1:17~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!