Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"Signs and wonders..."
Text: Hebrews 2:4b
“SIGNS AND WONDERS”
The author of Hebrews introduced and applied the concept of “signs and wonders” to Jesus! How should we understand and appreciate the following text?
“God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders?”
Hebrews 2:4b
1. The Ministry of Moses
This concept of “signs and wonders” is very rich in symbolic meaning. The beginning of employing signs and wonders may be traced to the ministry of Moses (Cf. Exodus 3:20; 4:28-29). He had an extremely difficult ministry entrusted to him. He was to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan. In order to help him accomplish this great task God empowered him to perform “signs and wonders”. Three things may be highlighted:-
a) These signs and wonders demonstrated the power of God (Cf. Exodus 8:19).
b) They were meant to teach the descendants of Israel about God (Cf. Exodus 10:1-2).
c) They were meant to aid the development of faith (Cf. Exodus 4:31; 14:31).
2. The Ministry of (selected) prophets
A few of the prophets of ancient Israel were also especially empowered. These were few and far in between. Two outstanding prophets may be cited:-
a) Elijah (Cf.1 Kings 17-18; 2 Kings 1)
i) Miraculous supply of flour and oil (Cf.1 Kings 17:8-16).
ii) Raising of widow’s son from the dead (Cf. 1 Kings 17:17-24)
b) Elisha (Cf. 2 Kings 2-6)
i) Raising of a widow’s son from the dead (Cf. 2 Kings 4:32-37)
ii) Healing of Naaman the Leper (Cf. 2 Kings 5:1-15)
GOD BEARING WITNESS WITH SIGNS AND WONDERS
All the Gospels recorded mighty miracles that Jesus performed. The following text written by the apostle John expresses full agreement with the theological position of the author of Hebrews. The signs and wonders of Jesus had great significance!
“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,
and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
John 2:11