In the biblical narrative, miracles serve as divine interventions that reveal God's power and authority. Interestingly, even those who are considered wicked or opposed to God's purposes often acknowledge these miraculous events, albeit sometimes reluctantly or with ulterior motives.

Pharaoh and the Plagues of Egypt

One of the most prominent examples of the wicked acknowledging miracles is found in the account of the plagues of Egypt. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, initially hardened his heart against the demands of Moses and Aaron to let the Israelites go. However, as the plagues intensified, Pharaoh's magicians recognized the divine nature of these acts. In Exodus 8:19, after the plague of gnats, the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." Despite their acknowledgment, Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, illustrating a recognition of divine power without submission to it.

Nebuchadnezzar and the Fiery Furnace

In the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is another example of a wicked ruler who acknowledges a miracle. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship the king's golden image, they were miraculously unharmed. Nebuchadnezzar witnessed this event and declared, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him" (Daniel 3:28). Despite his initial opposition, the king recognized the power of the God of Israel.

The Pharisees and the Miracles of Jesus

During the ministry of Jesus, the Pharisees and other religious leaders often opposed Him, yet they could not deny the miracles He performed. In John 11:47-48, after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council and said, "What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him." Their acknowledgment of Jesus' miracles was driven by fear of losing their authority rather than faith in His divine mission.

Simon the Sorcerer

In the Acts of the Apostles, Simon the Sorcerer is a figure who acknowledges the miracles performed by the apostles. In Acts 8:13, it is recorded that "Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was amazed by the great signs and miracles he observed." However, Simon's acknowledgment was superficial, as he later attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, revealing his misunderstanding of the true nature of divine miracles.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, the acknowledgment of miracles by the wicked serves as a testament to the undeniable power and authority of God. These instances highlight the reality that even those opposed to God's purposes can recognize His hand at work, though their acknowledgment does not always lead to genuine faith or repentance.John 11:47
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 4:16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Miracles
... so many impostors, who say they have remedies, often to the ... heals the sick, there
is none so wicked as not ... When, therefore, we see miracles and a doctrine not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xiii the miracles.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... and meekest man, they ever had among them, except Jesus, and they often murmured
against ... So that it is plain, miracles do not always fill wicked men with ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles ...
... 4806] On the other hand, a wicked person should ... before these Jews - and yet, as we
so often, still love ... or two had no doubt as to the source of these miracles. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the death and.htm

Acts XIX
... houses erected for public worship are often closed against ... in connection with the
unusual miracles just mentioned ... Jesus over those who had wicked spirits, saying ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xix.htm

The Love which Withers.
... heart even more than the doctrine of miracles opposes the ... their Dagon of the free
will as often as the ... Hence, however wicked a man may be, however insolent his ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii the love which withers.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
... wicked priests; and that among the wicked priests, those ... Herod had often earnestly
wished to see Jesus Christ ... The reputation which so many miracles had given Him ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

The Relation Between Sin and Physical Evil. --Jewish Idea of ...
... is a close connexion between these miracles and his ... and that the later Jewish history
often apparently reversed ... as it does to Satan, the wicked have possession ...
/.../section 100 the relation between.htm

Confessing Christ an Indispensable Duty.
... Our expectations are often disappointed ... Miracles are appeals to the senses of mankind ...
they call themselves Christ's friends, live like the wicked world, discover ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xix confessing christ an.htm

Oration on the Palms.
... lest he be condemned with those wicked citizens"the ... of the Lord have become blind;
ye have often seen, but ... men saw, and by means of His miracles handled the ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/oration on the palms.htm

The Life of Christ.
... in such cases, the agents of the Wicked One may ... of an evil tendency, appeared in
the miracles of our ... a true prophet would have been enabled so often to control ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

Are the miracles in the Bible to be taken literally? | GotQuestions.org

How can we discern counterfeit miracles? | GotQuestions.org

What are the greatest miracles in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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