How did God reveal Himself to Israel before the 400 years of silence?
Before the 400 years of silence, from Abraham until Malachi, God revealed Himself to the nation of Israel through the prophets and through various other means. After Malachi completed the Old Testament, 400 years elapsed until God made His next move with Israel.
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, is 400 years—a long period called 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. After Malachi was written, completing the Old Testament, 400 years elapsed until God makes His next move with the nation of Israel.