Connect Luke 7:16 with Old Testament instances of God's intervention. Luke’s Snapshot of Divine Visitation “Then fear came over all, and they glorified God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us!’ they said. ‘God has visited His people!’ ” (Luke 7:16) The Phrase “God Has Visited” — Echoes from Earlier Pages When the crowd at Nain shouted that God had “visited” them, they were reaching back to a rich Old Testament vocabulary (Hebrew paqad) that signals hands-on intervention. Notice how the same wording appears in moments of rescue, provision, and life-giving power: • Genesis 21:1 – “The LORD attended to Sarah as He had said.” A barren womb opens. • Exodus 3:16; 4:31 – God “attended to” Israel’s misery in Egypt and pledged deliverance. • Ruth 1:6 – “The LORD had attended to His people by providing them food” during famine. • Psalm 106:4 – “Visit me with Your salvation,” a cry for personal, saving action. Every time the word shows up, something tangible happens—freedom, bread, a child, salvation. Luke’s audience heard the same ring when Jesus raised the widow’s only son. Life from the Dead — Elijah and Elisha Set the Stage Two Old Testament resurrections mirror Jesus’ miracle almost scene for scene: 1. Elijah at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24) • A widowed mother, an only son, a sudden death. • The prophet cries to God, stretches over the child, and life returns. • The widow proclaims, “Now I know that you are a man of God.” 2. Elisha at Shunem (2 Kings 4:18-37) • Another mother loses her promised son. • Elisha prays, lies atop the boy, the child sneezes seven times, breathes again. • The mother falls at Elisha’s feet in worshipful gratitude. Jesus deliberately steps into this prophetic pattern—same compassion, same power—yet with a word rather than strenuous effort: “Young man, I tell you, get up!” (Luke 7:14). The onlookers connect the dots immediately: if Elijah and Elisha signaled God’s presence, how much more this One? Corporate Visitations — Bread, Freedom, Presence Luke’s statement also recalls larger national interventions: • Exodus deliverance – plagues, Passover, and a parted sea prove that God “visited” His covenant family. • Wilderness provision – daily manna demonstrates sustained visitation (Exodus 16:4-12). • Return from exile – “I will visit you and fulfill My good word” (Jeremiah 29:10). When Jesus revives a corpse inside city gates, He folds all those themes—Exodus freedom, wilderness sustenance, homecoming hope—into one vivid act. Shared Hallmarks of Every Visitation • Compassion for helpless people • Supernatural power that reverses the impossible • A prophetic voice or servant at center stage • Worship erupting from eyewitnesses • A fresh confirmation of God’s promises Luke 7:16 checks every box, spotlighting Jesus as the ultimate Visitor. Why This Matters for Us Scripture’s record is not an anthology of inspiring legends; it is accurate history that reveals God’s consistent character. The same Lord who opened Sarah’s womb, rained bread in a desert, and pulled boys back from death has now stepped among us in flesh. In Christ, divine visitation reaches its climax—God with us, God for us, God still able to break into ordinary towns and shattered lives with resurrection power. |
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