LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Natural Law
"Jehovah brought an east wind... and when morning came, the east wind brought the locust" (Ex. 10:13).
One is inclined to ask: Why bring the east wind? God was about to send a special providence for the deliverance of His people from Egypt. He was about to scourge the Egyptians with a plague of locusts. The locusts were to be his special providence, the evidence of his supreme power.
Why, then, does he not bring the locusts at once? Why does he provoke the intervention of an east wind? Would it not seem more majestic if it had simply been written, "God sent a plague of locusts created for the purpose of delivering his people"? Instead, his action takes the form of natural law: "The Lord brought an east wind... and when morning came, the east wind brought the locusts".
Why does he send his message in a common chariot when he could fly on heavenly wings? Are not the words "at the coming of the morning" somewhat disappointing? Why should God's act be so long in working the cure? Is not the whole passage an encouragement to men to say, "Oh, all that was due to natural causes"? Yes, and to add, "All natural causes are divine causes".
Then why has this passage been written? It is to show us that when we see a divine benefit passing through an east wind, or any other wind, we must not think that it proceeds less directly from God.
It is to teach us that, when we ask for God's help, we should expect the answer to be sent through natural channels, through human channels. It is to tell us that when the real heavens are silent, we are not to say that there is no voice from our Father.
We are to seek the answer to our prayers, not in an opening of heaven, not in the wings of an angel, not in a mystical trance, but in the seeming accidents of every day, in meeting a friend, in crossing a street, in hearing a sermon, in reading a book, in listening to a song, in contemplating a beautiful scene.
We should live in solemn expectation that, on any given day of our lives, the things around us may be the messengers of God. (George Matheson).