One of the most obvious things about God and His sovereignty is this: He doesn’t work the way we expect.  And it’s easy to be disappointed.  It’s easy to wonder where God is at and what he’s up to.  In this episode, we pick up where we left off: The Jews have been carried off to Babylon and into exile Their nation destroyed Jerusalem and the temple a heap of rubble. And we trace the story between Malachi (the end of the Old Testament) and Matthew (the beginning of the New Testament). We learn through this story that waiting on God requires tenacious clinging to His promises even when God is  silent and seems to be taking forever doing what He said He would do. Bible verses used in the episode: Lamentations 1 How deserted lies the city,     once so full of people! How like a widow is she,     who once was great among the nations! She who was queen among the provinces     has now become a slave. 2 Bitterly she weeps at night,     tears are on her cheeks. Among all her lovers     there is no one to comfort her. All her friends have betrayed her;     they have become her enemies. 3 After affliction and harsh labor,     Judah has gone into exile. She dwells among the nations;     she finds no resting place. All who pursue her have overtaken her     in the midst of her distress.   Lamentations 2 How the Lord has covered Daughter Zion     with the cloud of his anger! He has hurled down the splendor of Israel     from heaven to earth; he has not remembered his footstool     in the day of his anger. 2 Without pity the Lord has swallowed up     all the dwellings of Jacob; in his wrath he has torn down     the strongholds of Daughter Judah. He has brought her kingdom and its princes     down to the ground in dishonor. Jeremiah 29 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”   Lamentations 3 I remember my affliction and my wandering,     the bitterness and the gall. 20 I well remember them,     and my soul is downcast within me. 21 Yet this I call to mind     and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great steadfast love we are not consumed,     for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning;     great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;     therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,     to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly     for the salvation of the Lord   Want to get more out of your Bible reading? Free Resource: I’ve put together a free guide to help you immediately get more out of the Bible:  https://www.johnwhittaker.net   Support this ministry: Set up a one-time or monthly donation at the link below. http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/   The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com   Here are some ways to connect with me: ▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram   ▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net   As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.