When did God make His next move with Israel after Malachi?
After the book of Malachi completed the Old Testament, 400 years of silence elapsed. God's next move with Israel came at the end of that period, when an angel announced the birth of John the Baptist and spoke to Joseph and Mary.
Les explains that between the book of Malachi and the appearance of the angel announcing the birth of John the Baptist, and to Joseph and Mary, there is a span of 400 years. He calls this the 400 years of silence. Up until that time, from Abraham until Malachi, God had been revealing Himself through the prophets and through various other means to the nation of Israel. But after Malachi was written, completing the Old Testament, 400 years elapsed until God made His next move with the nation of Israel. Les then notes Malachi chapter 3, verse 1, reminding us that the Lord there is Jehovah, God the Son.