The Herald and the Highway
The sun hung low over the bustling city, casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets. Merchants from distant lands hawked their exotic wares—silks, spices, and rare jewels—while travelers huddled in groups, swapping stories of places few would ever see. The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air, and the sounds of lively trade rang in every corner.
In the midst of it all, a herald stood, his cloak fluttering behind him, a scroll of urgent news clasped in his hand. His eyes scanned the crowd, his heart racing. The king had summoned him with an order to deliver a message to a neighboring city, a journey that would take him through dense forests, over treacherous mountains, and across rivers that roared like thunder. The news was vital. It could not wait.
But as he stepped out of the marketplace and approached the gates, something caught his eye. A wide, paved road, stretching far into the horizon, cutting through the wilderness like a snake of stone and mortar. The once-impassable path had been transformed—dense trees were felled, jagged rocks smoothed away, and sturdy bridges arched over rivers that had once been too fierce to cross.
The herald stood for a moment, awe-struck. He had heard rumors of road builders working tirelessly in the wilds, but he never imagined it would make his journey so much easier. What would have been an impossible task only a generation ago now seemed within reach.
His gaze wandered over the road, and he smiled. The builders who had crafted this path had no idea that their labor would serve such a purpose. They were simply men and women with a job to do, their hands calloused from the toil of earth and stone. They never knew of the king’s urgent message, nor could they have foreseen that their work would enable it to be delivered. But without them, the herald’s mission would be doomed to fail.
As he mounted his horse and spurred it forward, the thought lingered in his mind: Sometimes, the greatest acts of service are done unknowingly. The road ahead was not just a path to a city—it was a bridge between kings, between messages, between lives. And it had been built, not for him, but for those who would walk it in years to come.
He rode on, his mission clear, grateful for the unseen hands that had prepared the way.
Connecting the Story
Like the fictional road builders, God employed different events, cultures, and empires throughout history to pave the path for the gospel. The Roman Empire, for instance, constructed an extensive road network that facilitated the travel of early missionaries across great distances. The Greek language and culture also played a significant role by providing a universal means of communication. Additionally, the Jewish Diaspora contributed to this preparation by establishing synagogues throughout the known world, creating spaces where the gospel could be preached. This deliberate orchestration of history, known as praeparatio evangelium (or “the preparation for the Gospel”), highlights how God ensured the arrival of Christ and the dissemination of his message.
The Intertestamental Period: A New Category for the Blog
After teaching an introduction to the New Testament, I became intrigued with the history of the Intertestamental period. This 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testament played a tremendous role in setting the stage for the New Testament Era. I’ve learned so much from my research and study that I can’t help but want to share the tremendous stories of God’s providence.
I decided this era needs its own space on my blog. Within this category, you will learn of the people, places, and events that led up to the “fullness” of time when Christ came (Gal. 4:4). If you’re an ancient history buff or wanting to understand the events that shaped Jesus’ and the Early Church’s world, I encourage you to tag-a-long by subscribing.
Kevin W. Bounds 
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