What other biblical instances show God providing signs to confirm His word? A Sign for Hezekiah—A Pattern of Divine Confirmation 2 Kings 20:9 sets the scene: “Isaiah answered, ‘This is the sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or shall it go back ten steps?’ ” God’s willingness to give Hezekiah a visible miracle shows a consistent biblical pattern—when He speaks, He often seals His promise with a tangible sign. Foundations in Genesis • Noah’s Rainbow — Genesis 9:12–13: “God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making… I have set My rainbow in the clouds.’” • Abraham’s Stars and Smoke — Genesis 15:17–18: the smoking firepot and blazing torch passed between the pieces as a sign of an unbreakable covenant. • Circumcision — Genesis 17:11: “You are to circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and this will be a sign of the covenant.” Wilderness Wonders • Moses’ Staff and Hand — Exodus 4:6–9: rod to serpent, leprous hand healed, water turned to blood—signs assuring Moses of God’s backing. • Pillar of Cloud and Fire — Exodus 13:21: daily, unmistakable confirmation of God’s presence and guidance. Conquest and Kingdom • Jordan River Piled Up — Joshua 3:10–13: the halted waters were the proof that “the living God is among you.” • Gideon’s Fleece — Judges 6:36–40: dew-soaked fleece, then dry fleece, double assurance for a hesitant warrior. • Fire on Carmel — 1 Kings 18:37–38: “Then the fire of the LORD fell,” validating Elijah’s message before all Israel. Prophetic Assurance • Ahaz and Immanuel — Isaiah 7:14: though the king refused a sign, God still declared, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son.” • Shadow on the Stairway (a parallel to Hezekiah) — Isaiah 38:7–8: “the sun will go back the ten steps it has descended.” Transitions to the Monarchy • Signs for Saul — 1 Samuel 10:1–9: three precise encounters (two men at Rachel’s tomb, three men with goats, prophets with instruments) confirmed God’s choice. Coming of Messiah • Zechariah Struck Silent — Luke 1:19–20: Gabriel gives the sign of temporary muteness to affirm John’s forthcoming birth. • Elizabeth’s Pregnancy as Sign to Mary — Luke 1:36: “your relative Elizabeth… is in her sixth month.” • Bethlehem Star — Matthew 2:2: celestial guidance for Magi, attesting the King’s arrival. Jesus’ Ministry—Signs with Purpose • Water to Wine — John 2:11: “This, the first of His signs, Jesus did… and His disciples believed in Him.” • Feeding the 5,000 — John 6:14: the crowd declared, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come.” • Resurrection of Lazarus — John 11:42–44: designed “that they may believe You sent Me.” • Ultimate Sign: Resurrection — Matthew 12:39–40: “the sign of the prophet Jonah”—three days and three nights, fulfilled at the empty tomb. Early Church Confirmation • Pentecost Tongues — Acts 2:4–12: languages as a sign that the promised Spirit had come. • Healing at the Gate Beautiful — Acts 3:6–8: public miracle validating apostolic preaching. • Paul and Elymas — Acts 13:11–12: Elymas struck blind, leading the proconsul to believe “when he saw what had happened.” Takeaway Across both Testaments, God repeatedly anchors His spoken word with unmistakable signs—each miracle an invitation to trust His promises just as Hezekiah did when the shadow reversed on the stairway. |
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