Prince of Peace: God's people wait in silence
When we left God’s people last week, they were captives in Babylon. But God had promised long before that their captivity wouldn’t last forever—
Isaiah 9:1a | Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.
God keeps His promise and after 70 years, He makes a way for His people to return home.
Ezra 2:64-67 | So a total of 42,360 people returned to Judah, in addition to 7,337 servants and 200 singers, both men and women. They took with them 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
However, part of God’s promise hasn’t come true yet—
Isaiah 9:4a | You will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
Even though the Israelites were back home, they are ruled by the kingdom of Persia. They still aren’t truly free which means they are not truly at peace. They know a King has been promised who will bring peace—
Isaiah 9:6 | For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders and he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
But the location of that King’s rule is likely troublesome to the Jews—
Isaiah 9:7a | His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
You see, during the invasion by Babylon, the temple had been destroyed—
2nd Kings 25:8-10 | On August 14 of that year, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side.
First, God’s people decide to rebuild the temple — the House of God. The building project would stop and start several times because many would try to oppose the Jews, but finally, it was finished [Ezra 3-6].
But still, God’s people felt weak —
Nehemiah 1:3 | They said to me, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”
The walls around their city were still in ruins from Nebuchadnezzar. Nehemiah is given permission from King Artaxerxes to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls. Throughout the city, everyone bans together to rebuild their portion of the wall. After it reaches half its height, people grow weary and enemies try to interfere with their effort. But Nehemiah doesn’t give up!
Nehemiah 4:21-23 | We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
The work was dangerous and difficult, but —
Nehemiah 6:15-16 | …on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun. When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.
After a long season of unfaithfulness (post-Solomon-Exile), God’s people have turned their hearts back to Him. They are ready for the Promised Prince of Peace- the King who would hold their freedom. In the very last verse of the very last chapter of the very last book of the Old Testament, God tells His people to be on the lookout for someone who would come before the Prince of Peace—
Malachi 4:5-6 | “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
And then…
Nothing.
Silence.
Days pass. Then years. Then hundreds of years. In fact, there would be over 400 years of waiting.
Can you imagine over 400 years of what seems to be unanswered prayer?
Maybe you’re in a season of waiting or a season of silence. Remember— in your waiting, Jesus is your peace—
2 Thessalonians 3:16 | Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
Just like God’s people then, God’s followers are in a season of waiting for His return. We wait with peace of heart and peace of mind—
John 14:27 | “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
We have this peace because we know He will return. We also know that ultimately, He will triumph. One day, the wait will be over. Until then—
Titus 2:13 | …we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
What might the 400 years of waiting have been like for the Jews? How might they have been anxious or doubted God’s promises?
What are some things you’ve had to wait for? Are you waiting for anything right now?
Is it easy or difficult for you to have peace while you wait? Why?
Do you ever doubt God while you wait? Why or why not?
What are some of God’s promises that you can remember while you wait? How can they help you have peace?