Topical Encyclopedia The principle that obedience precedes miracles is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the relationship between human faithfulness and divine intervention. This concept underscores the belief that God often requires an act of obedience from His people before He performs a miraculous work. The Bible provides numerous examples where obedience to God's commands sets the stage for His miraculous power to be revealed.Old Testament Examples 1. Noah and the Ark: In Genesis 6, God commands Noah to build an ark in preparation for a great flood. Despite the absence of rain and the improbability of such an event, Noah's obedience to God's detailed instructions results in the salvation of his family and the preservation of animal life. "Noah did everything precisely as God had commanded him" (Genesis 6:22). 2. The Parting of the Red Sea: In Exodus 14, the Israelites find themselves trapped between the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army. God instructs Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea. Moses' obedience leads to the miraculous parting of the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. "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" (Exodus 14:21). 3. The Fall of Jericho: In Joshua 6, God commands the Israelites to march around the city of Jericho for seven days. On the seventh day, they are to march around the city seven times and then shout. Their obedience results in the miraculous collapse of the city walls. "When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they raised a great shout, and the wall collapsed" (Joshua 6:20). New Testament Examples 1. The Wedding at Cana: In John 2, Jesus performs His first miracle at a wedding in Cana. When the wine runs out, Jesus instructs the servants to fill jars with water. Their obedience leads to the miraculous transformation of water into wine. "Jesus told the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim" (John 2:7). 2. The Healing of the Man Born Blind: In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. He instructs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man's obedience results in his miraculous healing. "So the man went and washed, and came back seeing" (John 9:7). 3. The Feeding of the Five Thousand: In Matthew 14, Jesus feeds a multitude with five loaves and two fish. Before the miracle, He instructs the disciples to organize the crowd and distribute the food. Their obedience facilitates the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fish. "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing" (Matthew 14:19). Theological Implications The principle that obedience precedes miracles emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. It suggests that human action, in alignment with divine will, is often a prerequisite for experiencing God's miraculous power. This principle encourages believers to act in faith, trusting that God's instructions, though sometimes challenging or counterintuitive, are the pathway to His blessings and interventions. The biblical narrative consistently portrays obedience as a demonstration of faith, which God honors with His miraculous works. Subtopics Obedience to God without Faith, is Impossible Obedience to God: A Characteristic of Saints Obedience to God: Angels Engaged In Obedience to God: Better than Sacrifice Obedience to God: Blessedness of Obedience to God: Christ, an Example of Obedience to God: Confess Your Failure In Obedience to God: Exhortations To Obedience to God: Includes: Keeping his Commandments Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying Christ Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Law Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Voice Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying the Gospel Obedience to God: Includes: Submission to Higher Powers Obedience to God: Justification Obtained by That of Christ Obedience to God: Obligations To Obedience to God: Pray to be Taught Obedience to God: Prepare the Heart For Obedience to God: Punishment of Refusing Obedience to God: Resolve Upon Obedience to God: Saints Elected To Obedience to God: Saints of Rome Obedience to God: should be Constant Obedience to God: should be from the Heart Obedience to God: should be Undeviating Obedience to God: should be Unreserved Obedience to God: should Be with Willingness Obedience to God: The Wicked Refuse Obedience to God: To be Universal in the Latter Days Obedience: General Scriptures Concerning Obedience: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego Obedience: Under the Preaching of Haggai Related Terms |