The term "Wonders of Old" refers to the miraculous acts and divine interventions recorded in the Bible, which demonstrate God's power, majesty, and faithfulness throughout history. These wonders serve as testimonies to God's sovereignty and His active involvement in the lives of His people. They are often recounted in Scripture to inspire faith, encourage obedience, and remind believers of God's unchanging nature.

Creation and the Early World

The Bible begins with the account of creation, a foundational wonder of old, where God spoke the universe into existence. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This act of creation is a profound demonstration of God's omnipotence and wisdom, setting the stage for all subsequent wonders.

The flood in the time of Noah is another significant wonder, where God judged the earth's wickedness while preserving Noah and his family. Genesis 7:17-24 describes the floodwaters covering the earth, a powerful reminder of God's justice and mercy.

The Patriarchs

The lives of the patriarchs are marked by divine wonders. God's covenant with Abraham included the miraculous birth of Isaac to Sarah in her old age, as recorded in Genesis 21:1-7. This event underscores God's faithfulness to His promises.

Jacob's dream at Bethel, where he saw a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending, is another wonder that signifies God's presence and guidance (Genesis 28:12-15).

The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings

The Exodus from Egypt is one of the most dramatic displays of God's wonders. The ten plagues, culminating in the Passover and the parting of the Red Sea, demonstrate God's power over nature and His deliverance of Israel from bondage (Exodus 7-14). Exodus 14:21-22 recounts, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land."

During the wilderness wanderings, God provided manna from heaven, water from a rock, and guidance through a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 16-17; Numbers 9:15-23). These wonders illustrate God's provision and care for His people.

The Conquest and the Judges

The conquest of Canaan under Joshua is marked by miraculous events, such as the fall of Jericho's walls (Joshua 6:20) and the sun standing still at Gibeon (Joshua 10:12-14). These wonders affirm God's promise to give Israel the land and His ability to intervene in the natural order.

During the period of the Judges, God raised up leaders like Gideon and Samson, who performed mighty acts through divine empowerment. Judges 6-7 details Gideon's victory over the Midianites with just 300 men, a testament to God's strength in human weakness.

The Monarchy and the Prophets

The reigns of David and Solomon are marked by wonders, including David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and Solomon's wisdom and the construction of the Temple (1 Kings 3-8). These events highlight God's anointing and blessing upon Israel's leaders.

The prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha, performed numerous wonders, including the raising of the dead and the multiplication of food (1 Kings 17-18; 2 Kings 4). These acts served as signs of God's power and messages of repentance to Israel.

The New Testament

The New Testament continues the theme of divine wonders, most notably through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. His miracles, such as turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21), and raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44), reveal His divine authority and compassion.

The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate wonder, affirming His victory over sin and death. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, continued to perform wonders, spreading the Gospel and establishing the early church (Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12-16). These acts confirmed the message of salvation and the presence of God's kingdom on earth.