Hearing Jesus: Daily Bible Study and Christian Affirmations

The Silent Years: What God Was Doing in the 400 Years Between the Old and New Testaments

There are about 400 years between the last page of the Old Testament and the first page of the New. Most of us turn that page without ever noticing. Scholars call it the intertestamental period, but most people know it as the silent years, because there was no prophet speaking in Israel and no Scripture being written. And yet when you look at what was actually happening in that stretch of history, you find something that will change how you think about the silent seasons of your own life. God was not absent. He was setting a stage.

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Why do they call it the silent years?

The name comes from what was missing. There were no prophets in Israel during this period, and no books of the Bible were being written. After Malachi, the prophetic voice that had guided Israel for centuries goes quiet. But silence is not the same thing as absence. Some of the most important groundwork in redemptive history was laid in exactly this window, which is why the episode lands where it does: sometimes when God is silent, He is doing some of His best work.

If no Scripture was written, how do we know what happened?

We know a great deal, because plenty was being written even though none of it entered the canon of the evangelical Bible. The books of the Apocrypha, including Maccabees, Tobit, and 1 Esdras, are read in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions and give us a real window into the period. The historian Josephus records much of it. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered rolled in jars in caves along the Dead Sea and first found by a young shepherd boy, were largely written during this time. And the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, was produced in this era.

How did God prepare the world for Jesus during the silence?

This is where it gets remarkable. Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek language and Hellenistic culture across the known world, which meant that by the time Jesus came, a common language existed for the gospel to travel in. Meanwhile, rabbis rose to prominence as teachers alongside the priests, and local synagogues became places of worship, prayer, and hearing the Torah. Scripture that had once been accessible only to the elite was now within reach of ordinary people. Luke tells us Jesus went to the synagogue regularly, an institution that did not exist in the Old Testament. None of that was accidental.

What was the Maccabean revolt, and where does Hanukkah come from?

After Alexander died in 323 BC, his empire was divided among his generals. Under Antiochus, the Jews suffered badly. He banned core Jewish practices, seized the temple, and ordered pigs sacrificed on the altar. An elderly priest and his sons refused to comply, and their zeal sparked the Maccabean revolt beginning in 167 BC. By 164 BC the Maccabees had retaken and cleansed the temple. The eight-day celebration that followed became Hanukkah, and the Gospel of John records Jesus Himself in Jerusalem for that festival.

What happened after the Maccabees won?

Here is the sobering turn. The Maccabean family formed the Hasmonean dynasty, and over time the very Hellenistic influence they had been repulsed by became something they embraced. That drift sparked opposition groups like the Pharisees and the Essenes, all wrestling with the same question of how to be faithful in a Greek world. Rome eventually ended the dynasty when Pompey took Jerusalem in 63 BC. Herod the Great was named king of the Jews, ruled cruelly, and rebuilt the temple complex into the largest temple to a single deity in the world. He died in 4 BC, and scholars believe Jesus was born not far from Herod's own burial grounds. The Zealots later revolted, and the temple was destroyed in AD 70.

What does this mean for my own silent season?

These years were anything but silent. The political, cultural, and spiritual climate all had to be primed before Jesus walked onto the scene, and God was doing that work the entire time no one could hear Him. The question to sit with is this one: where in your own life has God been working in ways you could not see or hear? He may not have been silent at all. He may have been setting the stage.

Featured quote

"Sometimes when God is silent, He's doing some of His best work. Just because God is silent doesn't mean He isn't moving and acting."

Scripture and sources referenced

John 10:22-23 (Jesus at the Feast of Dedication), Luke 4:16 (Jesus in the synagogue), Malachi as the close of the Old Testament. Extra-biblical sources discussed include 1 and 2 Maccabees, Tobit, 1 Esdras, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Septuagint.

Timestamps (approximate)

00:00 Welcome and what's ahead in the fall Luke series

01:24 Why we're covering the gospel genre before opening the text

01:51 How the study will run, and why Luke and Acts belong together

03:05 The teaching begins: the 400 years between the testaments

04:30 Why they're called the silent years

05:00 Where our information comes from: Maccabees, Josephus, the Dead Sea Scrolls

06:20 The Septuagint and the rise of Greek

07:15 Rabbis, synagogues, and Scripture made accessible

08:30 Alexander the Great and Hellenization

09:45 Antiochus, the desecrated temple, and the Maccabean revolt

11:00 The origin of Hanukkah

12:15 The Hasmonean drift back toward Greek culture

13:30 Rome, Pompey, and Herod the Great

15:00 The Zealots and the destruction of the temple in AD 70

16:00 These years were anything but silent 1

7:20 Where has God been working in your silence?

Frequently asked questions

What is the intertestamental period? It's the roughly 400-year span between the end of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New, commonly dated 400 BC to 1 BC. You may also hear it called the Second Temple period in academic settings.

Are the books of the Apocrypha part of the Bible? They're included in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Bibles but not in the evangelical Protestant canon. They aren't treated as Scripture here, but they are useful historical sources for understanding the period.

When does the Luke series start? Right after this week's two review episodes. We'll begin with an introduction to who Luke was, then work through the text at a spirit-led pace, with Luke and Acts studied together as one work. Expect the series to run through the end of the year.

How do I ask a question about the series? There's a SpeakPipe link in the show notes where you can leave a voicemail, or you can always reach out by email.

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Monday Daily Affirmations: God Is Always With Me

Start your Monday with confidence, peace, and purpose. These daily Christian affirmations are a short but powerful way to realign your heart and mind with biblical truth before the week begins. Today's affirmations are all about identity: who God says you are, and what changes when you believe it. Speak life over your day, renew your faith, and step into God's promises with Scripture straight from His Word.

I'll read each phrase, you repeat it, and then I'll tell you the Scripture
it comes from.

Links

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Before we begin

Take a deep breath. This is a new day filled with God's grace and purpose.
You are not defined by your past, or your mistakes, or the opinions of others.
You are defined by the truth of God's Word. Let these affirmations fill your
heart as you step into today.

Monday affirmations and Scripture

I am a child of God, chosen and loved.
1 John 3:1

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I am fully known and loved fully by God.
Psalm 139:1-2

I have been chosen before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:4

I am created in the image of God.
Genesis 1:27

I am redeemed and made new in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17

I am set apart for God's purpose.
1 Peter 2:9

I am God's masterpiece, created for good works.
Ephesians 2:10

I am loved with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

I am called by name and belong to God.
Isaiah 43:1

I am not my past. I am a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17

I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 6:20

I'm seated in heavenly places with Christ.
Ephesians 2:6

I am co-heir with Christ.
Romans 8:17

I am not rejected. I am accepted in Christ.
Ephesians 1:6

I am never alone. God is always with me.
Hebrews 13:5

I am valuable and precious in God's sight.
Isaiah 43:4

I have been set free by the truth of Jesus.
John 8:36

I am more than a conqueror through Christ.
Romans 8:37

I am a light in this world, shining for Christ.
Matthew 5:14

I am God's dwelling place. His Spirit lives within me.
1 Corinthians 3:16

I am forgiven and free from condemnation.
Romans 8:1

I have a divine purpose and calling from God.
Jeremiah 29:11

I am dearly loved and nothing can separate me from God's love.
Romans 8:38-39

Closing prayer

Father, thank You for reminding me who I am in You. Help me to walk in
confidence today, knowing that I am chosen, loved, and called by You. No matter what comes my way, let my identity be rooted in Your truth. In Jesus' name, amen.

I hope these affirmations spoke to your heart today. If you want to go
deeper, just keep listening. Your full Bible study episode is coming up next.

Listen daily and start your morning with God's truth so you can walk in
faith, clarity, and confidence.



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Sunday Affirmations: God's Presence With Us: Daily Affirmations,
Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations

Today is about looking ahead with God. Before the week begins, we
pause and place what’s coming into His hands. These affirmations are meant to help you enter the week grounded, attentive, and trusting God to lead you one day at a time.

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Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.



I place this coming week in God’s hands.

Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in Your hands.”

I trust God to guide my steps.

Psalm 37:23 –

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him.”

I enter this week with expectancy, not fear.

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in
Him.”

I
invite God into every moment ahead.

Proverbs
16:3 – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do.”

I
trust God to order my priorities.

Matthew
6:33 – “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”

I
receive God’s wisdom for the days ahead.

James
1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.”

I
walk into this week anchored in truth.

Psalm
119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet.”

I
trust God with what I cannot foresee.

Isaiah
46:10 – “I make known the end from the beginning.”

I
choose faith over anticipation of stress.

Psalm
56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”

I
rely on God’s grace for each day.

2
Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you.”

I
trust God’s timing this week.

Habakkuk
2:3 – “Though it linger, wait for it.”

I
remain open to God’s leading.

Psalm
25:4 – “Show me Your ways, Lord.”

I
step forward with humility and trust.

Micah
6:8 – “What does the Lord require of you? To walk humbly with your God.”

I
depend on God’s strength, not my own.

Psalm
68:35 – “God gives strength and power to His people.”

I
trust God with every conversation and decision.

Proverbs
20:24 – “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.”

I
choose obedience over control.

John
14:23 – “Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching.”

I
walk into this week aware of God’s presence.

Exodus 33:14 – “My
Presence will go with you.”

I
trust God to work through ordinary moments.

Zechariah
4:10 – “Do not despise these small beginnings.”

I
release anxiety about outcomes.

Psalm
112:7 – “They will have no fear of bad news.”

I
remain attentive to God’s voice.

John
10:27 – “My sheep listen to My voice.”

I
trust God to meet my needs.

Philippians
4:19 – “My God will meet all your needs.”

I
step into this week with courage.

Psalm
31:24 – “Be strong and take heart.”

I
trust God to shape my character.

Romans
8:29 – “To be conformed to the image of His Son.”

I
begin this week grounded in hope.

Hebrews
6:19 – “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.”

I
rest in God’s faithfulness as I move forward.

Psalm
33:4 – “The word of the Lord is right and true.”



Closing Prayer:

God, as I step into this new week, I place everything ahead of me
in Your care. Go before me, guide my steps, and help me stay attentive to You.

I trust You with what’s coming, one day at a time. Amen.


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Saturday Affirmations: Thankfulness to the Lord Daily Affirmations, Christian Affirmations, Biblical Affirmations, Affirmations

As we slow down today, this is a chance to look back over the week
with God. Not to replay everything or overthink it, but to notice where He met you, where He carried you, and where His grace showed up. Let these
affirmations help you reflect with honesty and gratitude.

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Repeat after me, then listen to the Bible verse.

I thank God for walking with me through this week.

Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

I
recognize God’s faithfulness in both the seen and unseen moments.

Psalm
77:11 – “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your
miracles of long ago.”

I
release regret and receive God’s grace.

Psalm
32:5 – “Then I acknowledged my sin to You… and You forgave the guilt of my
sin.”

I
trust that God was at work even when I didn’t notice.

Ecclesiastes
3:11 – “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

I
give thanks for the strength God provided each day.

Psalm
28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He
helps me.”

I
acknowledge where I grew this week.

2
Peter 3:18 – “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.”

I
notice where God invited me to trust Him more deeply.

Psalm
37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”

I
receive God’s mercy for where I fell short.

Micah
7:18 – “You delight in mercy.”

I
choose gratitude over self-criticism.

1
Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

I
honor the work God has been doing in my heart.

Philippians
1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”

I
acknowledge God’s presence in ordinary moments.

Psalm
16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life.”

I
release this week into God’s care.

Psalm
55:22 – “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.”

I
trust God with what remains unfinished.

Proverbs
16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes
their steps.”

I
thank God for His patience with me.

Psalm
103:8 – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in
love.”

I
rest in the truth that God sees me fully.

Hebrews
4:13 – “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”

I
choose to end this week with gratitude.

Psalm
92:1 – “It is good to give
thanks to the Lord.”

I
release comparison and embrace contentment.

Hebrews
13:5 – “Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I
leave you.’”

I
acknowledge God’s protection this week.

Psalm
121:7 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm.”

I
thank God for His provision.

Matthew
6:31–32 – “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

I
recognize God’s quiet guidance.

Isaiah
30:21 – “This is the way; walk in it.”

I
let go of striving and receive rest.

Psalm
23:2 – “He leads me beside quiet waters.”

I
honor the limits God has given me.

Psalm
127:2 – “He grants sleep to those He loves.”

I
trust God with what I do not understand.

Romans
11:33 – “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.”

I
receive peace as I reflect with God.

Psalm
4:7 – “You have filled my heart with greater joy.”

I
end this week grounded in God’s faithfulness.

Lamentations
3:23 – “Great is Your faithfulness.”



Closing Prayer:

God, thank You for walking with me through this week. Help me to
see Your faithfulness clearly and to release what I need to let go of. I trust
that You were present in ways I noticed and in ways I didn’t. I place this week
back into Your hands. Amen.

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Bible Study 101: What Is Biblical Meditation? Hearing Jesus, Devotional

This episode is a replay from Rachael's biblical meditation series, and
it closes out Bible Study 101 by putting you inside the passage you've been
studying all week.

The first half is teaching. What the Hebrew word hagah actually means,
why meditation is the thing that trains you to recognize God's voice, and a
story about the night Rachael got the call about her grandmother. The second half is a guided meditation on John 6:1-15, where you'll walk through the scene as the boy who handed over his lunch, and then sit with Jesus afterward.

There's no closing prayer on this one, on purpose. Rachael reads the
passage and then hands the time over to you.

Links

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Chapters

2:17 What this episode is, and why it's structured backward

2:43 Hagah, the second Hebrew word for meditation

3:13 Omnipresence, and what meditation actually creates

3:42 How you come to recognize a voice

4:39 When the enemy sounds a lot like God

5:18 The night her grandmother fell

7:14 I'm not over there, I'm right here

8:38 Meditation is the posture. The interaction is what changes you.

9:05 Why we want someone else to talk to God for us

11:18 How do I know if I'm hearing from God?

11:44 Tip one, pick a Scripture

13:06 Tip two, pick a time

13:58 Tip three, pick a place

14:24 Tip four, your posture

15:23 Tip five, don't give up

15:51 The guided meditation begins

16:21 Using your senses inside the scene

17:36 When Jesus sits down next to you

18:37 Then you ask Him the same question

21:04 Reading John 6:1-15

What is biblical meditation?

It's filling your mind with God's word on purpose and staying there long
enough for Him to speak into it.

Meditation is mentioned 58 times in Scripture, and there are two Hebrew
words behind it. One appeared earlier in this series and carries the sense of
complaining or pouring out to God. The other is hagah.

What does hagah mean?

Hagah is the idea of pondering, imagining, thinking. It's turning
something over in your mind, sitting with it, and listening. It's also a
dialogue, where you're talking to God and then waiting to hear back.

That's the version of meditation this episode practices. Not emptying
your mind, but filling it with a passage and staying in it.

Why does meditation help you hear God?

Because there's a big Bible word, omnipresence, which means God is always
with you regardless of where you are or what you're doing. The question isn't
whether He's there. It's whether you recognize it.

Meditation creates the emotional and spiritual space where you can hear
Him.

How do you learn to recognize God's voice?

The same way you recognize any voice. Time.

Rachael has three daughters, and when one of them calls from another room
she knows instantly which one it is. People on the phone can't tell them apart, because their voices are similar. She can, because she's spent years with them. Her sister-in-law can too, for the same reason.

This matters because the enemy often works through your own insecurity or
ego, which means the voice can sound familiar. The way you tell the difference is the way you tell the difference with anyone. You learn a voice by
spending time with the person, and with God that time happens in His word.

The story that shows why this matters

Rachael's grandparents largely raised her. Her grandmother fell down a
flight of stairs, hit her head, and had a brain bleed. The call came in the
middle of the night, and it was clear she didn't have long. Rachael's husband
stayed with their kids while she drove nearly an hour to the hospital alone.

She says it was one of the most intense moments of grief she's ever
experienced, and grief makes you irrational. She kept praying the same thing out loud between sobs, over and over. I need You. I need You. I need You. At one point she reached her hand across to the passenger side armrest, as if she could touch Him sitting there.

And she heard Him, as clear as anything. I'm not over there. I'm right
here.

He interrupted her chaos with His words, and she recognized His voice
because she had been meditating on His word for years. That's what let her walk into the hospital room and say goodbye. The thought she'd been stuck in was replaced with something else. I'm right here. I'm not far away. I'm inside you.

Meditation is the posture that puts you where you can hear from Him. The
interaction with Him is what changes you.

Why do we want someone else to talk to God for us?

Because the enemy has convinced us we don't have equal access.

People ask Rachael to pray about their decisions all the time, and when
she asks what God has said to them about it, the answer is often that they
haven't asked Him. The instinct to route it through someone else is old,
and you can see it in the Israelites all through the Old Testament. But that's
not what heals you and it's not what gives you peace in the hard thing.

He will meet you where you are, in the desperation and the grief and the
chaos. He died to have that relationship with you.

What are the five practical tips?

Pick a Scripture. Your mind will wander, so start with the word. Choose something that speaks to a need you actually have right now. This isn't the time for word studies or breaking down Greek. That belongs to the discipline of study. Right now you're letting the Holy Spirit speak through the text and internalize it. You may need to stay on one passage for a while until it becomes part of you.

Pick a time. Rachael often does this before bed, but if you're building the habit, choose a time when you aren't sleepy. Our lives are fragmented, and if you don't plan for it the day gets away from you. Treat it like an appointment. You wouldn't squeeze in a date with your husband, you'd plan for it, because the relationship matters.

Pick a place. Quiet, free from interruption. Put your phone and your computer in another room. Getting outside helps if you can.

Watch your posture. The posture of your body matters less than the posture of your heart, but they're not always easy to separate. Be comfortable without being so comfortable you fall asleep, and don't pick a position that will have you thinking about your knees instead of His voice.

Don't give up. These are called spiritual disciplines because they take time and intention. You wouldn't gain muscle after three days in the gym. Some days you won't feel like it, and doing it anyway is the thing that builds the
discipline.

How does the guided meditation work?

You'll go into John 6:1-15, the feeding of the crowd, as the boy who
handed over his lunch.

As Rachael reads, use your senses. What does the grass feel like. What
does the hillside look like. Can you smell the fish being passed around. What's on the disciples' faces as they hand it out. What do you hear, birds or water in the distance or children or the voice of Jesus. What's the texture of the clothes you're wearing, and what's underneath you on the ground.

Then go further into the scene. Are you hesitant to offer your lunch? Are
you astonished at all that food, since you're the one who knows what was
actually in that basket?

You may need to read it through more than once. That's part of it.

Then imagine the end of it. The crowd leaves. Jesus leaves. You're sitting alone on a rock overlooking the water, quiet, thinking about what just happened. And then Jesus comes back and sits down next to you. You're silent together for a while, just enjoying each other.

After a bit, He turns and asks you, what can I do for you?

Tell Him. Your needs, your fears, your heartache, your hopes, your grief.
And if emotions come up, don't stop them. That's how we heal. Let them
surface in His presence. Don't rush it.

When you've finished and your spirit is quiet, then you ask Him the same
question. What can I do for You?

Then listen. Nothing may come, and that's fine. Sometimes it's
just about being in His presence, and His presence is holy, and that holiness
is what heals us. If words do come, take them seriously. It's often something
small, and small is exactly where Jesus wants to be involved.

FAQ

Is this a new episode? No. It's a replay from Rachael's biblical meditation series, running here as the close of Bible Study 101.

Is this the same as Eastern meditation? No, and the difference is the direction. Eastern practice generally moves toward emptying the mind. Hagah is the opposite. You're filling your mind with a specific passage of Scripture and staying with it. And placing yourself inside a scene from the Gospels is an old Christian practice, not a borrowed one. You're not clearing your thoughts, you're occupying them with the word.

What passage is used? John 6:1-15, the feeding of the crowd, read from the perspective of the boy with the loaves and fish.

Why is there no closing prayer? On purpose. Rachael reads the passage and then hands the time to you, so turn the episode off and stay in it.

What if nothing comes? That's normal and it doesn't mean you did it wrong. Sometimes the point is simply being in His presence.

How long should this take? Don't rush it. The reading is short, and the time after it is yours.

Do I need to have heard the earlier episodes? No. The full biblical meditation series is in the archive if you want the rest of it, including the other Hebrew word and a list of passages to start with.

Where can I go deeper? She Hears, Rachael's Bible study, teaches the color method and stays in one passage for a week at a time, which is meditation built into the structure.



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