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Christian Faith And Resurrection Of Christ

The 400 Silent Years

What some people today might refer to as the “400 silent years”, marks a very important time period between the Old Testament and New Testament.   During this time there was no prophetic word from God.   However, it is a time where much change occurred.   This is a time when the political, religious, and social atmosphere of Palestine changed significantly.   The foretelling of all this was predicted by Prophet Daniel (Dan. 2:24-45).   He predicts the control of the land of Israel that is passed from Greece to Rome.
At the close of the book of Malachi in the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is back in their land of Palestine under the permission yet control of the Persian Empire. Many significant events took place under Persian rule that would affect Judaism.     The temple of Solomon’s was restored by the people after the exile in a less impressive fashion, however is later rebuilt by a man named Herod. The temple became not only a place of worship but also a symbol of Jewish identity and pride.   Each community also had a synagogue.   Unlike the temple, in the synagogue there was no sacrifice, it was the local centre of worship and study of the law.   The high priest came to rule Jerusalem a temple city.   The study and interpretation of the law of Moses became of great significance.   Professional students, known as scribes, studied and taught the law with intention to help people obey the law.
The vast majority of the intertestamental period takes place while the Jews are under Greek control.   In 332 B.C. the Greek conquer Persia.   Alexander the Great’s conquest was complete.   He sought to unify the world by spreading helenistic language and culture.   After Alexander the Great died, his empire was split by Ptolemy and Seleucus.   His influences still lived on through a new policy called Hellenization.   This was the spread of Greek culture, and it had a huge impact on the Jews.
In 200 B.C, the Seleucids under control of king Antiochus III...