LUKE 11:14-20 BY THE FINGER OF GOD

BY THE FINGER OF GOD

LUKE 11:14-20

Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

Susan: We no longer use the word “dumb” to describe a person who cannot or does not speak because it now has a derogatory connotation. The demon had cause the man to be mute, but once Jesus cast it out, the man began to speak.

Susie: The people were amazed to hear the man talking, but not all of them gave God the glory for this miracle.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

Susan: Beelzebub was a derivation of Baalzebub which means “Lord of flies.” The was possibly a derogatory play on Baalzebul meaning “Prince Baal” or “exalted Lord.” The New Testament Jews used this term interchangeably with the name “Satan.” Therefore, they were saying that Jesus received the power to cast out demons from Satan himself!

Luke 11:16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.

Susie: Some of the people were looking for an even greater sign than casting out a demon, perhaps rearranging the stars or causing some other disturbance in the sky. They were trying to trick Jesus into displaying power to prove Himself. We will see His answer to this demand in the next lesson.

Susan: They did not understand what a miracle it was to free a person’s soul, spirit, and body from the grip of the Enemy. They did not see the extreme value of being delivered from Satan’s control.

Luke 11:17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

Susie: Since Jesus was both fully man and fully God, He was omniscient (all-knowing). Therefore, He knew what they were thinking about Him.

Susan: Jesus answered them by pointing out that their logic was like swiss cheese, full of holes large enough for a semi-truck to drive through.

Susie: If a kingdom has infighting, it is defeating itself. If one general within an army wages war with another general fighting for the same nation, the army will be destroyed, and the nation will fall before the enemy ever engages them in battle.

Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

Susan: Jesus asked if He were working for Satan, why would Satan have Him destroy demons who were also working for Satan. Why would Satan destroy his own forces? He wouldn’t because that would be counterproductive to his mission of destroying the kingdom of God.

Luke 11:19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

Susie: Jesus further explained that if He were casting out demons by Satan’s power, then the Pharisees who claimed to perform exorcisms could be accused of the same thing. Those who approved of these possible fake exorcisms by certain Pharisees were quick to accuse Jesus of operating under demonic power. They were in essence judging themselves by judging Him.

Luke 11:20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

Susie: The “finger of God” symbolized the power of God or ability given by God Himself. The original Ten Commandments were written not by Moses but by God Himself, by “the finger of God.”

Exodus 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

Susan: If Jesus, by God’s choosing, manifested the power of God Himself, He was ushering in the Kingdom of God. Jesus was setting in motion God’s rule and reign in the hearts of those who trusted in His Messiah, His Son.

Ponder this and Apply it: People often ascribe the work of God to “nature” or “coincidence”. Think of something in recent events that was written off in this way. Take a moment to ask yourself whether or not the incident could have been “the finger of God.” We talk about a manager having his “finger in every pie”, but God truly does have an interest in every aspect of our lives. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the powerful work He is doing in and through you every day. You will be amazed not only at His power but with His lovingkindness to work all things for the eventual good of His children.