Jewish Literature in New Testament Times

Preparation for Christ

How did God Prepare the Jews for the Coming of the Messiah?

The Old Testament is the story of God's dealing with the Hebrew nation for the purpose of bringing into the world a Messiah for all nations. The Old Testament is a sort of stage set for the coming Messiah. "Starting with low, scattered notes, it expands, as time passes, with enlarging crescendo, into clear, loud trumpet tones of the approaching King" as one man of God said. Meantime God, in His Providence, was making ready the nations. Greece united the civilizations of Asia, Europe and Africa, and established one universal language. Rome made one empire of the whole world, and Roman roads made all parts of that Empire accessible. The Dispersion of the Jews among the nations, thus paved the way for the propagation of the Gospel of Christ in their Synagogues and their Scriptures. It is clear that "when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son" Galatians 4:4

Also see The Greek Period, and The Roman Period