Signs and Wonders

Acts 13:9-12

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

This might be your first-time hearing of it. The early believers along with few other cultures have a habit. They renamed their believers to show that who these used to be is now gone. Those old names are to be remembered no more, for so God has changed them. The sins of the old person they used to be are even afar off as promised in Psalm 103:12. Now, we see Paul who used to be Saul. Notice he was not like some who were out to get you or even pull the fleece over your eyes. Unlike these others, the text calls him both to show who he was before Jesus changed him. Once called the chief of sinners, now he is little more than a breath of wind. Hereafter has he become Paul even as the "old things have passed away." Behold 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "all things have become new." Not only is his new name written, but so he is also filled. If I was in Paul's shoes, I would be feeling quite proud indeed. Yet he is not filled with himself; rather, the Holy Spirit lives within him. Thus, he cannot boast. Without Christ he, like this one, used to be nothing. There is certainly a temptation of being puffed up at times like these.

The sorcerer himself had gotten to where he was by his own conniving. Here he found himself being accused of all subtlety and mischief. Indeed, for so it was true. He was like "a child of the devil;" yet he was more subtle than even that great garden snake, if such a thing were possible. It is good Paul used such firmness in dealing with him. For in large part, the sorcerer had done much to put himself in this position. Moreover, he did not withstand Paul and Barnabas because he was confused. Rather, he could be called an enemy to righteousness. If you tried to live for God and do good works, chances are this young man would oppose you. He knew what he was doing; so also, he knew for whom he worked. Thus, Paul sets his eyes upon him as one would a naughty, naughty child. In those eyes are reflected the nature, character, and righteousness of God. His very eyes shone with the fire of God inside, as those knowing him are wont to do. More than that, Paul lays his sins to his charge. Herein lies the problem all along. The sorcerer had been perverting the ways of God. How many others had he turned aside to wickedness and perversion before this. Now, God is in the house and what is to be done will yet be seen.

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Oh my, it seems this sorcerer has become both blinded and tiny indeed. For so he went about like some great toddler seeking some comfort but finding none. What he wanted, no one could tell. But about the city and surrounding countryside he went. I am sure some of the people who still believed him lent their hands. Others also were still under his influence but not for long. See, God will not leave the situation thus. He will not allow these people to be fleeced, dazed, and confused. Willing or not, Elymas sought them to lead him continually. From this place to that, he went never seeming satisfied. But for those which led him, was he not at their mercy. Far better for him to have mastered himself than for this fate to befall him. Oh, do not act so surprised now. Truly he did not think his behavior came at this price. Genesis 3:14 tells of a similar curse which came upon Satan so long ago. So, he went about on his belly like a snake or stalked through the earth as a roaring lion. The mist and darkness which befell Elymas physically are but a reflection of his true spiritual condition. Now he has also been blinded just as those people had been that he led before. Imagine not being able to see even the sun. For Saul also had once been even as a pawn in the hands of God. Only with all his subtlety and creeping ways Elymas realizes it not. Now this was "the hand of the Lord" upon him. See, he knows it not yet. But here he has been compelled to serve the Lord in this region, albeit unwilling and unknowing. It is a fearful thing indeed to oppose the Lord. You just might wake up and find you have been in the hands of the angry God all along.

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

This deputy got more than for what he asked. He only asked to hear the Word of God at first. Now he has seen signs and wonders also. Is it any wonder that God so took care of a wise man without much faith. But such as he had, he gave unto a God he knew not. See, this deputy might not have known much. Otherwise, he would not have asked any for instruction. But rather he came with a problem, even a certain man which pestered him. Elymas likely caused much hindrance in the workings of his master. This deputy likely was little more than a small-town sheriff living in a big-town world. Yet even God, so high up there in the sky, thought of him. Had I known all this before, I too would be astonished. See, it was not just a few signs and wonders which caused him to believe. Rather his belief came from the doctrine which the apostles preached. They could have preached prosperity or any number of things which would have pleased the deputy's ears. So also, such teaching would have annoyed the sorcerer. But nothing shut him down more completely than the Word of God. Like Daniel in the lion's den, God would also save this man from a politically minded albeit religious mixed-up sorcerer. I imagine he was rather shocked to see God turning all things into good. See, the deputy could see alright, unlike the sorcerer which opposed him. What the devil has meant to destroy the people and the early church was becoming a blessing before his very eyes. The deputy's faith came by hearing and that by the preaching of Christ in Romans 10:17. For so it has always been this way even since the beginning.