Introduction
INTRODUCTORY.
(1.) In order to carry forward the supernatural work to which he was called, Moses now appears before us armed with supernatural powers. This is the first instance of the kind that appears in history. The patriarchs had individual intercourse with God, and he communicated with them personally, in visions, waking or sleeping, but they wrought no miracles, for they held no mediatorial relation to mankind, and needed no supernatural credentials. But now a mediatorial nation was to be founded which should stand supernaturally accredited before mankind; and the founder of this nation is, therefore, clothed with supernatural powers. In this respect the sober reserve of Scripture presents a striking contrast to the myths of heathenism, and to the legends of ecclesiastical tradition, which ever surround the figures of their heroes with a halo of miracle, brilliant in proportion to its distance. It is also especially noteworthy that the Scriptures furnish no account of a miracle wrought by man till we reach the period of written history recorded by original witnesses.
(2.) The miracle is no violation or suspension of the laws of nature, but such a use of those laws as is possible only to superhuman wisdom, and which, therefore, proves the presence of superhuman influences. To attempt to explain a miracle is absurd, for “explanation” is simply reference to an understood law; but in this case the law is above the grasp of the human faculties. God works ever according to law, although often the law is too high for man to comprehend.
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