SIGNS, WONDERS, AND MIRACLES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Signs, wonders, and miracles performed through individuals, were manifested only on two occasions in all the Old Testament. They were manifested by Moses and Aaron surrounding Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, with a view of the nation’s entrance into the land of Canaan; and they were manifested by Moses’ successor, Joshua surrounding Israel’s subsequent entrance into the Land of Canaan (Exo. 4:29-31; 7:10ff; Josh. 3:7ff; 10:12-14).
That was the first occasion. The second was a manifestation by Elijah and his successor Elisha, some five hundred years later (1 Kings 17:1ff; 11 Kings 2:13ff).
Outside of these two occasions there is not a single reference of an individual being empowered to perform signs, wonders, and miracles throughout all the Old Testament Scriptures. Numerous signs are recorded in Scripture (e.g. the burning bush which was not consumed [Exo. 3:2], the sun being moved back ten degrees on the dial [Isa. 38:7, 8], the three Israelites being protected in the fiery furnace [Dan. 3:19-25], or Jonah being raised from the dead [Jon. 1:17-2:10]), but these were miraculous works performed directly by God, not by individuals that God had empowered to perform them.
Note that the manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles during the days of Moses, Aaron, and Joshua was in relation to Israel and the kingdom.
Supernatural manifestation of power occurred relative to Israel being removed from Egypt and being established in the land of Canaan, with a theocracy. Thus, a first-mention principle was set forth at this point in Scripture, establishing an unchangeable truth. Anytime there is a mention of signs, wonders, and miracles being performed by individuals beyond this point, both Israel and the kingdom have to be in view.
During the days of Elijah and Elisha the people of Israel had been established in the land, within a theocracy, for about five hundred years. But, because of continued disobedience on the part of the people, the theocracy never reached the height which God had intended. The theocracy reached its greatest heights during the days of David and his son Solomon (though far from the height which God intended); but after that, following the division of the kingdom, things began to go into another direction entirely. It was during these days that Elijah was called forth (with Elisha finishing his ministry) to call the nation to repentance.
The manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles accompanying their ministry pertained to Israel and the kingdom. They had to, for a first-mention principle had previously been established; and any future manifestation had to be exactly in accord with the way matters were set forth in the beginning.
The signs, wonders, and miracles were simply the credentials of those manifesting them in Israel’s presence. Through a manifestation of supernatural powers accompanying the message, Israel was to recognize that the messenger had been sent from God; and the people were to heed the message accordingly (Exo. 4:1-9, 29-31).
The people of Israel had failed to heed the message; the nation didn’t repent. And the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities followed (722 B.C. and 605 B.C. respectively).
“The times of the Gentiles” began with the Babylonian captivity, has lasted to this present day, and will last until the end of the Tribulation.
This is simply a prolonged, uninterrupted period of time – lasting about 2600 years – during which Israel must dwell apart from a theocracy and remain scattered among the Gentile nations. And the Gentiles, among whom Israel dwells, will hold the scepter throughout this time.
Signs, wonders, and miracles performed through individuals, were manifested only on two occasions in all the Old Testament. They were manifested by Moses and Aaron surrounding Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, with a view of the nation’s entrance into the land of Canaan; and they were manifested by Moses’ successor, Joshua surrounding Israel’s subsequent entrance into the Land of Canaan (Exo. 4:29-31; 7:10ff; Josh. 3:7ff; 10:12-14).
That was the first occasion. The second was a manifestation by Elijah and his successor Elisha, some five hundred years later (1 Kings 17:1ff; 11 Kings 2:13ff).
Outside of these two occasions there is not a single reference of an individual being empowered to perform signs, wonders, and miracles throughout all the Old Testament Scriptures. Numerous signs are recorded in Scripture (e.g. the burning bush which was not consumed [Exo. 3:2], the sun being moved back ten degrees on the dial [Isa. 38:7, 8], the three Israelites being protected in the fiery furnace [Dan. 3:19-25], or Jonah being raised from the dead [Jon. 1:17-2:10]), but these were miraculous works performed directly by God, not by individuals that God had empowered to perform them.
Note that the manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles during the days of Moses, Aaron, and Joshua was in relation to Israel and the kingdom.
Supernatural manifestation of power occurred relative to Israel being removed from Egypt and being established in the land of Canaan, with a theocracy. Thus, a first-mention principle was set forth at this point in Scripture, establishing an unchangeable truth. Anytime there is a mention of signs, wonders, and miracles being performed by individuals beyond this point, both Israel and the kingdom have to be in view.
During the days of Elijah and Elisha the people of Israel had been established in the land, within a theocracy, for about five hundred years. But, because of continued disobedience on the part of the people, the theocracy never reached the height which God had intended. The theocracy reached its greatest heights during the days of David and his son Solomon (though far from the height which God intended); but after that, following the division of the kingdom, things began to go into another direction entirely. It was during these days that Elijah was called forth (with Elisha finishing his ministry) to call the nation to repentance.
The manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles accompanying their ministry pertained to Israel and the kingdom. They had to, for a first-mention principle had previously been established; and any future manifestation had to be exactly in accord with the way matters were set forth in the beginning.
The signs, wonders, and miracles were simply the credentials of those manifesting them in Israel’s presence. Through a manifestation of supernatural powers accompanying the message, Israel was to recognize that the messenger had been sent from God; and the people were to heed the message accordingly (Exo. 4:1-9, 29-31).
The people of Israel had failed to heed the message; the nation didn’t repent. And the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities followed (722 B.C. and 605 B.C. respectively).
“The times of the Gentiles” began with the Babylonian captivity, has lasted to this present day, and will last until the end of the Tribulation.
This is simply a prolonged, uninterrupted period of time – lasting about 2600 years – during which Israel must dwell apart from a theocracy and remain scattered among the Gentile nations. And the Gentiles, among whom Israel dwells, will hold the scepter throughout this time.
Though Jews have returned to the land these are unrepentant Jews and therefore is not the 'restoration' that God has promised them, that is yet future when Israel repents.
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