Signs, purposes of

Signs are given to confirm God's word. They may warn the rebellious or encourage the faithful. People may seek signs as a result of a genuine desire to serve God.

Signs are given to demonstrate God's power

Deuteronomy 34:10–12 See also Deuteronomy 4:34, Deuteronomy 6:21–22, Deuteronomy 7:19, Deuteronomy 26:8; 1 Chronicles 16:11–12 parallel Psalm 105:4–5; Jeremiah 32:21

Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face— no prophet who did all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent Moses to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his officials and all his land, and no prophet who performed all the mighty acts of power and awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Signs demonstrate the authority of God's servants

Moses and Aaron

Exodus 4:1–9 See also Exodus 4:30–31, Exodus 7:8–12; Numbers 17:1–9; Acts 7:36

Elijah

1 Kings 18:36–38

Elisha

2 Kings 2:13–14

Jesus Christ

Acts 2:22 See also John 2:23, John 3:2, John 7:21, John 20:30

Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man certified by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know.

The apostles

2 Corinthians 12:12 See also Acts 2:43, Acts 5:12, Acts 15:12

The marks of a true apostle — signs, wonders, and miracles — were performed among you with great perseverance.

Signs may accompany the preaching of the gospel

Hebrews 2:3–4 See also Mark 16:20; Acts 8:6, Acts 14:3

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? This salvation was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

Signs may warn the ungodly of impending judgment

Exodus 8:22–23 Isaiah 20:1–4; Ezekiel 4:1–3, Ezekiel 12:3–6, Ezekiel 12:11, Ezekiel 24:15–24; Jeremiah 44:29–30; Luke 2:34; Philippians 1:28

But on that day I will give special treatment to the land of Goshen, where My people live; no swarms of flies will be found there. In this way you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land. I will make a distinction between My people and your people. This sign will take place tomorrow.’”

Signs may warn God's people against rebellion

Numbers 17:10 See also Numbers 16:38, Numbers 26:10; Deuteronomy 28:45–46; 1 Samuel 2:34, 1 Samuel 12:16–18

The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.”

Signs may encourage faith

By giving guidance

1 Samuel 14:8–10 See also Genesis 24:10–14; Exodus 13:21–22; 2 Samuel 5:23–24 parallel 1 Chronicles 14:14–15; Matthew 2:9–10

“Very well,” said Jonathan, “we will cross over toward these men and show ourselves to them. If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them. But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.”

By giving assurance of God's presence

Judges 6:17–22 See also Genesis 28:10–17; Exodus 3:1–5

Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me. Please do not depart from this place until I return to You. Let me bring my offering and set it before You.” And the LORD said, “I will stay until you return.” So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread and an ephah of flour. He placed the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to present to Him under the oak. And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. Then the angel of the LORD extended the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. And fire flared from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!”

By encouraging the fearful and doubting

Isaiah 38:7–8 parallels 2 Kings 20:8–11, 2 Chronicles 32:24 See also Deuteronomy 7:17–19; Judges 6:36–40; 2 Kings 6:15–17

This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.

Signs need hold no terror for the godly

Jeremiah 10:2 See also Matthew 24:6 parallels Mark 13:7, Luke 21:9

This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by the signs in the heavens, though the nations themselves are terrified by them.

Seeking signs

When seeking signs is acceptable to God

Isaiah 7:11 See also Judges 6:17; Isaiah 38:22

“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.”

When seeking signs is condemnned by God

Matthew 16:1–4 parallel Mark 8:11–12 See also Matthew 12:38–39 parallel Luke 11:29; Luke 11:16, Luke 12:54–56, Luke 23:8; John 2:18, John 4:48, John 6:30; 1 Corinthians 1:22

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.