“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
— Psalm 8:3–4
Between the close of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus Christ, there was a period of approximately four hundred years during which God gave no new prophetic revelation. This period is often called the Intertestamental Period or the 400 Years of Silence.
The last Old Testament prophet was Malachi, who foretold the coming of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6). After that, no prophet arose in Israel until the coming of John the Baptist (Luke 1:76–77).
Yet although heaven seemed silent, God was still directing history according to His perfect plan. The world was being prepared for the coming of the Messiah.
The Sadducees were a powerful religious and political group during the time of Christ. Most were wealthy aristocrats connected to the priesthood and the temple.
They accepted only the written Law of Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament) and rejected many beliefs held by other Jews. They denied:
The resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23)
Angels and spirits (Acts 23:8)
Much of the oral traditions accepted by others
Because of their wealth and political influence, they often cooperated with the Roman authorities.
The Pharisees were mostly middle-class men, including merchants, teachers, and synagogue leaders. They were respected by the common people because they appeared devoted to God's law.
Originally, they sought to preserve true religion. However, over time they elevated human traditions to the same level as Scripture.
Jesus rebuked them saying:
“Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?”
— Matthew 15:3
And again:
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition.”
— Mark 7:13
Although many Pharisees were hypocritical, not all were enemies of Christ. Men such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea eventually became followers of Jesus (John 3:1–2; John 19:38–39).
At the time of Christ's birth, the ruler of the Roman world was Augustus Caesar.
His original name was Octavian. He was the adopted heir of Julius Caesar. The Roman Senate later gave him the title "Augustus," meaning "the exalted one."
Under Augustus:
Civil wars ended.
Roads and highways were built.
Trade flourished.
Postal systems were established.
The Roman Empire experienced unprecedented peace.
This period became known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace).
God used this political stability to spread the gospel rapidly throughout the known world after Christ's resurrection.
After Augustus died, many Romans worshiped him as a god. Meanwhile, Judea remained under Roman rule through the authority of Herod the Great, the ruler appointed by Rome and famous for his massive building projects, including the expansion of the Temple.
Many Jews were eagerly awaiting the Messiah.
However, they expected a political and military deliverer who would overthrow Rome and restore Israel's earthly kingdom.
This expectation caused many to reject Christ when He came.
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
— John 1:11
Yet many did receive Him:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.”
— John 1:12
The Messiah came not first to conquer Rome, but to conquer sin, death, and Satan (Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 2:14–15).
Many wonder why Jesus did not come during our modern age of technology and instant communication.
The answer is found in Scripture:
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”
— Galatians 4:4
The phrase "fullness of time" means God's appointed and perfect moment.
In creation God simply spoke and the universe came into existence (Psalm 33:6,9). But redemption required centuries of preparation.
God sent prophets.
Many suffered persecution.
Many were rejected.
Wars occurred.
Kingdoms rose and fell.
Promises were given.
Sacrifices pointed forward to Christ.
Then, at exactly the right moment, God sent His Son.
The world had been prepared:
A common language (Greek) united much of the world.
Roman roads connected nations.
Roman peace allowed safer travel.
Israel had experienced four centuries without prophetic revelation.
Spiritual darkness covered the land.
The people longed for deliverance.
Yet Christ came not primarily for the proud and powerful, but for the humble and needy.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
— Luke 19:10
The song of Mary is traditionally called The Magnificat, from the Latin word meaning "magnifies" or "glorifies."
After the angel Gabriel announced that she would bear the Son of God, Mary visited Elizabeth. Filled with gratitude and faith, she broke forth into one of the most beautiful songs in Scripture.
“My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
— Luke 1:46–47
Notice that Mary calls God "my Savior."
Like every descendant of Adam, Mary herself needed salvation. She rejoiced not in herself but in God who saves sinners (Romans 3:23; Luke 1:47).
Mary was not a queen, scholar, or person of earthly importance.
She was a young woman from Nazareth, an obscure village.
Yet God chose her.
“For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.”
— Luke 1:48
God delights in exalting the humble.
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
— James 4:6
“Whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
Throughout Scripture God works through unlikely people:
Abraham and Sarah were old and childless.
Moses was a reluctant speaker.
David was a shepherd boy.
Elizabeth was barren.
Mary was a virgin.
God chooses weak instruments so that the glory belongs to Him alone (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).
Mary's circumstances were difficult.
She faced misunderstanding.
She risked public shame.
Even Joseph initially struggled to understand her condition (Matthew 1:19–20).
Yet instead of complaining, Mary worshiped.
Unbelief would have said, "Wait."
Fear would have said, "Be silent."
But faith sang.
True faith delights in God even when circumstances are difficult.
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom... yet I will rejoice in the LORD.”
— Habakkuk 3:17–18
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
— Philippians 4:4
The people of God have always been a singing people.
Moses sang (Exodus 15:1).
David sang (Psalm 18:1).
The angels sang at Christ's birth (Luke 2:13–14).
Paul and Silas sang in prison (Acts 16:25).
And the redeemed in heaven sing before the throne (Revelation 5:9).
When God fills the heart with joy, praise naturally follows.
Even the ungodly sing when life seems favorable. How much more should Christians sing, who possess forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and eternal life through Christ?
The joy of the world is temporary:
“For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool.”
— Ecclesiastes 7:6
Worldly joy quickly fades.
But the believer's joy is rooted in Christ and endures forever.
“Your joy no man taketh from you.”
— John 16:22
Therefore let us join Mary in magnifying the Lord.
“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
— Psalm 150:6
If the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), then let us not be silent. Let us praise Him with thankful hearts, joyful lips, and holy songs, for singing is sweet to the ear of God and fitting for those who have been redeemed by His grace.
This version strengthens the historical context, develops the theological themes of God's sovereignty, humility, faith, and worship, and adds supporting Scripture throughout while keeping the devotional and preaching style of the original.
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