The fleece test

[KingJ]

But for a big spiritual decision, should we ask God to "show us a sign"?

We shouldn't always have to, but is fine to do so if we feel the need.

To properly grasp this we need to properly grasp Matt 12:39. The Pharisees saw Jesus heal on the Sabbath in Matt 12:13. Signs were given to all. When Jesus says in vs 39 ''A wicked and adulterous generation look for a sign'', He is not saying it in contrast to anything. It is a stand alone statement directed at the wicked Pharisees. He did not 'add'; 'a holy and righteous generation does not look for a sign'.

Holy people look for signs and don't look for signs. The wicked, only want a sign. Something material. Something to excuse / justify their unbelief. In this context nothing will be given them but the sign of Jonah. The sign of Jonah can make for an interesting discussion too. What is the sign of Jonah? I believe it is two-fold. 1. Jesus risen from the grave and 2. the message of God's wrath coming upon the wicked who do not repent. As Matt 12:41 says the people of Nineveh will be present at their (the Pharisees) judgment.

 

[amadeus2]

We shouldn't always have to, but is fine to do so if we feel the need.

To properly grasp this we need to properly grasp Matt 12:39. The Pharisees saw Jesus heal on the Sabbath in Matt 12:13. Signs were given to all. When Jesus says in vs 39 ''A wicked and adulterous generation look for a sign'', He is not saying it in contrast to anything. It is a stand alone statement directed at the wicked Pharisees. He did not 'add'; 'a holy and righteous generation does not look for a sign'.

Holy people look for signs and don't look for signs. The wicked, only want a sign. Something material. Something to excuse / justify their unbelief. In this context nothing will be given them but the sign of Jonah. The sign of Jonah can make for an interesting discussion too. What is the sign of Jonah? I believe it is two-fold. 1. Jesus risen from the grave and 2. the message of God's wrath coming upon the wicked who do not repent. As Matt 12:41 says the people of Nineveh will be present at their (the Pharisees) judgment.

Indeed, Jonah as a man messed up but his experience as it is written provides types and shadows for all of us... if we are able to understand them. Jonah himself ended up heading for Nineveh and preaching the message, but in his heart he remained farther away from God than a man of God should be. Are we farther away from God than we should be considering all that God has done for us and given to us?