Charles Pfeiffer
Between The Testaments
"The
time between the close of Old Testament history and the
beginning of the New Testament period has often been called
"the four hundred silent years." To the historian, however,
these centuries were anything but silent, and they seem to
become more vocal with each passing decade.
To the student of ancient history, names like Cyrus, Darius,
and Alexander the Great make this period one of paramount
importance.
The Jew notes during these centuries the development of
synagogue worship, the successful Maccabean revolt, and the
emergence of those parties within Judaism which have set the
pattern for Jewish life and thought during the past two
millennia.
The Christian looks upon the Old Testament as preparatory,
looking toward the fulfillment of its hopes and promises in
the Person of Jesus Christ. He is interested in the history
of the centuries preceding the coming of Christ, for he sees
in them a preparation for the advent, and a progress toward
that period of history termed "the fulness of time" (Gal.
4:4)."
Charles
Pfeiffer, "Old Testament History" 5th Printing (Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Book House Company 1979) p. 497
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