God is Always Working

The successive reigns of the Persians, Greeks, and Romans, each brought unique challenges and changes. Nevertheless, despite the seeming turmoil and uncertainty, each transition was shaping the world for the reception of the Gospel message.

Under Persian rule, the Jewish community was allowed religious freedom. This period of relative peace allowed the Jewish people to solidify their religious identity. If Israel had sometimes paid little attention to the Law during the period of the kings, the Law now became one of the centers of Jewish identity. This fact laid a robust foundation for their faith in the face of future adversities.

The subsequent Greek and Roman periods were marked by the spread of Hellenistic culture and the establishment of the Pax Romana respectively. This broadening of connection and interaction in the world created a common language and the creation of a vast network of roads. These infrastructural and linguistic developments were instrumental in the eventual spread of Christianity, allowing the message of Jesus Christ to traverse diverse regions and cultures with relative ease.

The cultural and religious challenges faced by the Jewish people during the Greek and Roman periods further prepared the world for the arrival of Christ. The onslaught of Hellenistic influence and the pressures of Roman rule tested the resolve of the Jewish community, honing a resilient and unyielding faith that would prove crucial in the early days of Christianity. Before the Maccabean crisis of the 160s BC, the Jews were in danger of abandoning the Law and their distinct identity as God’s people. God arguably used this crisis to strengthen their commitment to God in the century before Christ.

The dispersion of the Jewish population throughout the Mediterranean world also prepared the world for the spreading of the good news. Driven by various historical forces, the “Diaspora,” as it is called, positioned the Jews as a widespread network of God’s people throughout the world. This dispersed Jewish diaspora served as the initial audience and conduit for the Christian message, facilitating its rapid spread across diverse regions.

The establishment of the Pax Romana under Roman rule contributed significantly to the preparation for Christ’s mission. The relative peace and stability, coupled with the extensive network of Roman roads, created an environment conducive to the rapid and unimpeded spread of the gospel. The Roman infrastructure unwittingly served the divine purpose of disseminating the message of salvation, bridging geographical and cultural divides.

Language emerged as a powerful unifying factor in God’s preparation for the coming of Christ. The widespread use of Greek, a legacy of Alexander’s conquests, provided a common linguistic platform for the proclamation of the Christian message. The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, known as the Septuagint, further expanded the accessibility of the biblical texts, allowing a diverse audience to engage with the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, and recognize their fulfillment in the life and mission of Jesus Christ.

The Intertestamental Period is a poignant reminder of God’s unwavering commitment to the fulfillment of his promises. Despite the seeming silence and the myriad challenges faced by the Jewish people, God’s plan for salvation through Jesus Christ was unfolding. The invisible hand of God was at work, molding events, shaping circumstances, and preparing hearts for the revelation of his ultimate plan for humanity. The enduring faith of the Jewish people, despite political oppression and religious persecution, laid the groundwork for the emergence of a faith in Jesus Christ and the reconciliation of the world to God.