............................................
Signs
And Wonders Distractions
Don’t Let Signs and
Wonders Distract You From This Greater Priority
RABBI ERIC TOKAJER
Imagine
if you just experienced a long string of the most miraculous events in your life.
Not
little miracles, but huge, over-the-top experiences, supernatural healings,
signs and wonders.
These were miracles that not only you saw and experienced,
but everyone around you was affected in one way or another by them.
After these miracles take place,
you attend a reunion with your family you arrive and run to meet your
relatives.
You
wrap your arms around your favorite relative's neck. What do you say first?
Do
you tell about the person raised from the dead? Or maybe the mountain cast into
the sea?
Or
maybe you excitedly share about the person who was delivered from a deadly
illness?
Or
maybe the lame man who was now able to run again?
With all of those amazing and
wonderful miracles to share, it might be difficult to decide what you would say
first, filled with all of the excitement and overflowing with faith.
For
many, what to say first could be a difficult decision. Yet, it should not be
difficult at all for any of us.
Why?
Because the Bible shares a clear answer to this dilemma and provides for us
clarity and priority.
In Exodus 18, we find Moses'
family reunion taking place as he is rejoined by his wife and children, as well
as Yitro (Jethro), his father-in-law.
This
meeting takes place after all of the plagues have happened. It takes place after
the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army in the sea.
It
happens after Moses hits the rock and enough water comes forth to quench the
thirst of the entire nation.
And
after the victory against the Amalekites when Aaron and Hur held up Moses'
arms so Israel could win.
The
list of miracles that had taken place covers more than the items mentioned in
this article, yet when we read of the first interaction between Moses and Yitro
and the very first words that were spoken by both men, we learn an important
lesson about miracles and biblical values.
And remember, by the time they meet, Moses had
experiences all of the miracles mentioned, and Yitro, according to Exodus 18:1, "heard of all that God had done for
Moses and for His people Israel, how Adonai had brought Israel out of Egypt."
So,
they were both aware of each and every supernatural event that G-D had brought
forth.
Yet, with all of these overwhelmingly exciting things
to speak about to each other, in Exodus 18:7, we read about the very first part
of their conversation: "Moses went
out to meet his father-in-law; he bowed down and kissed him; each asked after
the other's welfare, and they went into the tent" (Exodus 18:7).
The first words that came out of
each of their mouths were not about the signs and wonders, no. The first were
about the welfare of their loved one.
They
understood, as we should, that people are more important than miracles and that
all miracles are for people.
Too
often we run from place to place searching for the next great sign or wonder
when everywhere we walk we see the most important miracle of all standing all
around us: humanity.
Always
remember the greatest miracle of all time was when G-D robed Himself in human
flesh and offered Himself for our atonement and then rose from the grave
victoriously.
And
He did those miracles for our welfare. It's never about the miracles; it is
always about the people.
Eric Tokajer is author of With Me in Paradise, Transient Singularity, OY! How
Did I Get Here?: Thirty-One Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Entering
Ministry and #ManWisdom: With Eric
Tokajer.
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