“How much longer will they refuse to trust me, even though I have performed so many miracles among them?” (Numbers 14:10). We usually associate more faith with more miracles, yet this relationship often seems reversed in the Bible. The children of Israel at this time were rebellious, yet there were many miracles. During the time of Elijah and Elisha there was also very little faith (so little that Elijah complained, “I think that I’m the last one left that is loyal to you”), yet there were lots and lots of miracles. And, after Jesus resurrected Lazarus from 3 days dead in the tomb, “from that day on” the Pharisees made plans to kill Jesus – despite the miracle!
In fact, the book of John is a perfect parallel to the words in Numbers: “Even though he had performed all these miracles in their presence, they still did not trust in him.” (John 12:37)
While the Bible reveals God seeming to have relatively little success with the use of miracles, it would seem that Satan is much more successful:
“This second beast performed great miracles; it made fire come down out of heaven to earth in sight of everyone. And it deceived all the people living on earth by means of the miracles…” (Revelation 13:13-14)
What are we to make of all this?
In the video below, Dr. Brad Cole narrates his powerpoint slide presentation.
[soundcloud id=’139484485′ height=’false’]