Perfect Timing
God always does everything at the right time. Maybe not according to our timetable, but certainly according to His!
This is brought out explicitly by Paul in Galatians 4:4ff in his discussion of the incarnation of Jesus Christ—His coming to earth—and His purpose in doing so.
The section begins, “when the fullness of time had come….” Implied in that statement is the idea that all that had transpired since creation came to a climax at a specific point in time.
Two years earlier would’ve been too soon; two years later, too late.
The timing of Christ’s birth involved circumstances in the Roman Empire, the region around Nazareth, Babylon and her magi, Jerusalem and the presiding king Herod, some shepherds, an innkeeper, and of course, Joseph and Mary. The convergence of all the details of that immediate time and of all the people involved was critical for God’s plan to be fully expressed.
But go deeper.
Rehearse in your mind for a few moments what you can recall from Israel’s history…the emergence of the Roman Empire…the collapse of the Greek, Medo-Persian, and Babylonian empires…the Davidic royal line…the rejection of Saul…the story of Ruth…the deliverance from Egypt…the immoral behavior of Judah with his daughter-in-law Tamar…the selection of Jacob over Esau…the securing of a bride for Isaac…the miraculous birth of Isaac…the call of Abram…the preservation of Noah and his offspring…the creation of Adam and Eve….
It all had a point of culmination: the fullness of time when Jesus Messiah was born.
The exciting thing about this passage in Galatians 4 is that the grand design of the ages did not merely intend to bring forth the divine Christ-child, but to redeem doomed sinners—“…to redeem those who were under the law….”
And why?
“So that we might receive adoption of sons.”
In other words, what God did at just the right time in human history was to send His Son for the express purpose of being our Savior!
Has that purpose been fulfilled in your life? To learn more, see The Story Film.
This is brought out explicitly by Paul in Galatians 4:4ff in his discussion of the incarnation of Jesus Christ—His coming to earth—and His purpose in doing so.
The section begins, “when the fullness of time had come….” Implied in that statement is the idea that all that had transpired since creation came to a climax at a specific point in time.
Two years earlier would’ve been too soon; two years later, too late.
The timing of Christ’s birth involved circumstances in the Roman Empire, the region around Nazareth, Babylon and her magi, Jerusalem and the presiding king Herod, some shepherds, an innkeeper, and of course, Joseph and Mary. The convergence of all the details of that immediate time and of all the people involved was critical for God’s plan to be fully expressed.
But go deeper.
Rehearse in your mind for a few moments what you can recall from Israel’s history…the emergence of the Roman Empire…the collapse of the Greek, Medo-Persian, and Babylonian empires…the Davidic royal line…the rejection of Saul…the story of Ruth…the deliverance from Egypt…the immoral behavior of Judah with his daughter-in-law Tamar…the selection of Jacob over Esau…the securing of a bride for Isaac…the miraculous birth of Isaac…the call of Abram…the preservation of Noah and his offspring…the creation of Adam and Eve….
It all had a point of culmination: the fullness of time when Jesus Messiah was born.
The exciting thing about this passage in Galatians 4 is that the grand design of the ages did not merely intend to bring forth the divine Christ-child, but to redeem doomed sinners—“…to redeem those who were under the law….”
And why?
“So that we might receive adoption of sons.”
In other words, what God did at just the right time in human history was to send His Son for the express purpose of being our Savior!
Has that purpose been fulfilled in your life? To learn more, see The Story Film.
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