UNIT 1 MIRACLES IN THE DESERT

God performed miracles in the desert in order to provide for the Hebrews guidance, protection and daily needs.

MIRACLES IN THE DESERT (Exodus 13:17-22)

1. CROSSING THE RED SEA

When the Hebrews were on their way crossing the Red Sea, God guided them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When they reached the Red Sea, God told Moses to lift up his walking stick (staff) and to hold it out over the sea and the water divided. The Hebrews crossed the sea on dry ground. The Egyptian Army was following them. When the army was in the middle of the sea, God told Moses to hold out his hand over the sea once more. The water started flowing again. The Egyptian Army drowned. God protected the Hebrews from danger. The Hebrews were led by Moses and Aaron from Egypt on to the Promised Land called Canaan.

2. GOD'S PROVISION OF MANNA, QUAILS AND WATER

When the Hebrews had no food and water, they started complaining to Moses. God heard their complaint and provided them with food and water. The food was in the form of manna and quails. Manna were cake-like substances. Quails were a kind of birds. These kinds of food were collected just enough for a day without any more to keep for the following day. The daily collection was done for five days. On the sixth day they were collecting food for two days. This was because no collection was done on the seventh day, which was a Sabbath. The Sabbath was to be kept holy. The Hebrews relied on these types of food for forty years. When the Hebrews complained about water, God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff. Water came out of the rock.

UNIT 2 JESUS' TEACHINGS THROUGH MIRACLES

A miracle is an unnatural act or event caused by God.

REASONS WHY JESUS PERFORMED MIRACLES

out of sympathy or mercy

out of request

as means of spreading God's message to the world

The following were some of the miracles Jesus performed:

1. Healing of the Gerasene demoniac (Luke 8:26-29)

   Jesus drove out demons out of the Gerasene demoniac. By healing the demoniac, who was a Gentile, Jesus wanted to show that his mission on earth was for both Jews and Gentiles. His instructions to the healed man was a means to spread the message to the gentile land. This miracle also showed Jesus' power over demons who are forces of evil.

2. Feeding the five thousand

   Many people followed Jesus to a lonely place. They were five thousand people. Jesus and his disciples had five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus prayed to God and the food multiplied. He broke the food into pieces and gave it to the people. They ate and were fully satisfied. There were twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus performed this miracle out of mercy for the people. The five thousand people who came to hear God's word praised him even more after being fed using very little food. Therefore, Jesus provided them with both spiritual and physical needs.

3. The healing of Bartimaeus' eyes (Mark 10:46-52)

   In Jericho, Jesus healed eyes of Bartimaeus out of request.