After Malachi was written, how long was it before God acted again with Israel?
After the book of Malachi completed the Old Testament, 400 years elapsed before God made His next move with the nation of Israel. This period is commonly called the 400 years of silence, spanning from Malachi to the angelic announcement of John the Baptist’s birth.
Les explains that Malachi 3:1 points to the coming herald or announcer of the King, and he notes 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 400-year gap. He calls this the 400 years of silence. From Abraham until Malachi, God had revealed Himself through the prophets and through various other means to the nation of Israel, but after Malachi completed the Old Testament, 400 years elapsed until God’s next move with Israel. Les says this is a historical fact he finds interesting.