What other biblical instances show God using ordinary objects for extraordinary purposes? Exodus 4:3 – God’s Power in a Shepherd’s Staff “He said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it.” Tracing the Pattern: Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Purposes God keeps repeating one lesson: what looks common in human hands becomes mighty when surrendered to Him. Old Testament Snapshots • A shepherd’s staff parts a sea – “Lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it.” (Exodus 14:16) • Aaron’s rod buds, proving divine choice – Numbers 17:8 • An oxgoad in Shamgar’s grasp strikes down 600 Philistines – Judges 3:31 • Clay pitchers, ram’s horns, and torches rout Midian – Judges 7:16-22 • A smooth stone from a brook topples Goliath – 1 Samuel 17:40-50 • A donkey’s jawbone slays 1,000 enemies in Samson’s hand – Judges 15:15-16 • A handful of flour and a little oil feed three people for many days – 1 Kings 17:12-16 • A widow’s small flask fills jar after jar with oil – 2 Kings 4:2-6 • A stick makes an iron axe head float – 2 Kings 6:5-7 • A bronze serpent on a pole brings healing to snake-bitten Israelites – Numbers 21:8-9 • Salt tossed into a spring purifies the water – 2 Kings 2:19-22 • Elijah’s mantle parts the Jordan – 2 Kings 2:8, 14 • The Ark’s wooden poles lead the nation through a dry riverbed – Joshua 3:14-17 New Testament Snapshots • Six stone water jars become vessels of the first miracle wine – John 2:6-10 • Five loaves and two fish satisfy thousands – Matthew 14:17-21 • Mud made from saliva opens blind eyes – John 9:6-7 • Peter’s shadow heals the sick – Acts 5:15 • Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons drive out diseases and demons – Acts 19:12 What We Learn • Availability matters more than impressiveness. • God delights in reversing expectations, ensuring He gets the glory (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). • The same God who empowered a wooden staff can work through whatever we place in His hands today. |
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