Firstly,
the book of Matthew is written around 37 AD, while Luke writes
later in 57
AD. For twenty years the Pharisees’ false lie of Christ being in
league
with Beelzebub, filters down to the general population. As it is said
“A lie
repeated often enough soon becomes the truth.”
Secondly,
Luke elaborates by giving a more detailed explanation to refute
the
Pharisees’ lie (Luke 11:17-20,21-23).
Matthew
9:32-34 As they
went out, behold, they brought to him (Christ) a
dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the
dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so
seen in Israel. But THE PHARISEES SAID, He (Christ)
casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. |
Luke
11:14-17,18-21,22-23 And he (Christ) 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.
But some of them (NOT THE PHARISEES BUT THE
COMMON PEOPLE) said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub
the chief of the devils. And others (the people), tempting
him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 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. If Satan also
be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say
that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast
out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be
your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt
the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth
his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall
come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour
wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is
against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. |
TO BEGIN
WITH …
From their
history, Israel knew the following four
scriptures about being dumb … and God being the ONLY
one to
open mouths …
“And the LORD
said unto him, Who hath
made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf,
or the
seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” (Exodus 4:11)
“… God
with a recompence; he will come
and save you … and the tongue of the dumb sing:…” (Isaiah
35:4, 6)
“In that day
shall thy mouth be opened … and thou shalt speak, and
be no
more dumb: … and they shall know that I am the LORD.”
(Ezekiel 24:27)
“Now the
hand of the LORD was upon me … and
had opened my mouth … and I was no more dumb.” (Ezekiel
33:22)
According
to their own scriptures “ … when the
devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes
marvelled,
saying, It was never so seen in Israel.” (Matthew 9:33).
This
miracle pinpoints the very nature of Christ,
the Word, as having power words, and over mouths
and speech.
Furthermore,
we have creation, where out of
silence, words come forth (Genesis 1:3).
Indeed,
with this miracle, where out of the silence
of dumbness, words come forth (Luke 11:14).
THE
CAUSE OF THIS MAN’S DUMBNESS
We
are not told, but this miracle seems similar to the man
born blind from birth … not the result
of his sin or that of his parents, but that the works of God be
made manifest
in him (John 9:3).
‘Dumb’
Israel are being shown, that through this
miracle, they can be made to speak the words of God again, if they will
believe
in Christ … but they don’t.
However
Israel will speak God’s words in the
tribulation with the 144,000 (Revelation 14:3) … “In that day shall
thy
mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak,
and
be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they
shall
know that I am the LORD.”
(Ezekiel
24:27)
OTHER
EXAMPLES OF DUMBNESS
1. This
miracle reminds us of Zacharias, when told by an angel of the
future
birth of his son John, was struck dumb because of unbelief
(Luke
1:20, 64)
2. Israel
made dumb for being rebellious (Ezekiel 3:26).
3. “He (Christ)
was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened
not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
sheep
before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” (Isaiah
53:7)
CONCLUSION
Here
is an example that concentrates on the very nature
of who Christ is … the Word … who speaks words … and
has the
power for others to speak words as well.
For
Israel …. Who made mouths? … Who has power over
the mouth? … Who has power over words? … Who has power over silence? …
Who can
make people dumb? … Who can power to put words into people’s mouths?
Who can
make people dumb speak?
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