It was with great with great signs and wonders, that Avinu Malkeinu (our Father and King) delivered the Hebrews, from slavery, in the land of Egypt. The awesomeness of that ancient event is still remembered each spring as Believers sit together to celebrate the Passover Seder meal. Interestingly, according to Scripture, there will soon be a greater exodus, with such a vast deliverance for the Chosen of the LORD, that it will overshadow the Egyptian exodus. This future event will be so momentous, that the former, will not be mentioned anymore. The prophet Jeremiah foretells of this day. “Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD lives [Yahweh Chai], which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The LORD lives, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jer. 23:7-8)
When we look to the Torah concerning these things, much is revealed about the prophetic events that are soon to unfold. This spring, as we observe Passover, we will look back into history at the faithfulness of Yahweh Almighty to deliver His people from bondage. We also will celebrate as a rehearsal for the prophetic Kingdom when the righteous Branch of David, Messiah Yeshua, will gather us back to the Promised Land where He will reign upon the earth as our King.
In the exodus from Egypt we find, “…the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders.” (Deut. 26:8) In this passage, the Hebrew word for “signs” stands for signals, or distinguishing marks. This year many Believers are having their attention drawn to signs in the heavens. God is revealing these signals in the heavens for the purpose of getting our attention back on His calendar, His timing, and His feasts. The Hebrew word for “wonders” means a miraculous display of God’s power, or tokens of a future event. Therefore, based on this understanding, of the first exodus, we should expect signs and wonders to happen among us in the greater exodus to come.
The purpose of the LORD’s signs and wonders, is to establish His Word and authority, to His Chosen people. “And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.” (Exo. 4:30-31) True signs and wonders from Yahweh Almighty cause people to bow down in reverence, not fall back in disbelief. To kneel and bow down is an act of voluntary submission to Him.
Next the LORD used signs and wonders to display His power before Pharaoh, but Pharaoh refused to believe in God’s Word. “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shall speak all that I command thee…And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt…Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments,” (Exo. 7:1-4) The Holy One’s purpose in displaying His power was for the Egyptians to have the opportunity to “…know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” (Exo. 7:5) Signs and wonders, even when they are used as judgments upon people, can be part of the Father’s mercy toward unbelievers. It was through His signs and wonders that many Egyptians came to believe in His Word. (More about this in Part Two with the upcoming discussion of the plagues).
It is essential that we realize in that the deceiving forces of darkness can also imitate the signs and wonders of God, but only to some extent. “And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods,” (Exo. 7:10-12)
This passage reveals that not all supernatural signs and wonders are from the Holy One of Israel. There are supposed “wise men” that imitate Yahweh’s miracles with enchantments or magic. This is why Yeshua give us many end time warnings in Matt. chapter 24. When His disciples questioned Him about what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the world, He answered, “Take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, [ie. “I am anointed”]; and shall deceive many…and many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many…Then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is the Christ [“the anointed man of God”], or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs [anointed ones], and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, If it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold I have told you before.”
Many of the distinguishing marks of the true Believer hinge on the little word “If”:
“If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
“To the law [Torah] and to the testimony: If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Is. 8:20).
To discern a prophet’s intent, according to the Word, include their view of Torah. Do not be deceived according to the signs and wonders they are able to display. True prophets of God return God’s people to His covenant. The signs of the Covenant are the truths that don’t make you wonder. In the last days there will be many supernatural miracles occurring. Some of these will occur at the Word of God, while others will come from false prophets. The events of the future will parallel what took place in ancient Egypt. At the beginning of the deliverance from Egyptian slavery, it must have been confusing to see both spiritual camps at work, one produced true signs and wonders, while the other produced imitations.
As we look at the plagues that took place in Egypt, we will see when the limits of deception meet their match. The magicians in Pharaoh’s court were able to demonstrate their limited power, but it was only for a season. During the fourth plague, we will see how Yahweh makes a distinction between who are His people, and who are not.
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