Finger of God

"Early in the morning [Jesus] came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, 'Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?' (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, 'Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.' Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground." –John 8:2-8, NET

Much speculation is made over what Jesus wrote on the ground. I am curious, and would love to have been there to peer over Jesus’ shoulder and been a witness to the words He wrote in the dust. But since the content of His writing is omitted, we should limit our speculation. It is the action itself that should demand our attention, considering the implications of the details provided.

First of all, see that Jesus “bent down.” “Who can compare to the Lord our God, who sits on a high throne? He bends down to look at the sky and the earth,” (Psalm 113:5-6). Man cannot hope to discover God, for he refuses to look up in faith (Job 35:10-11; Rom 3:11; Heb 11:6). However, our LORD humbles Himself by taking on human form, stooping to reveal Himself to us (John 1:14; Phi 2:7).

Let us then take notice that Jesus wrote with His “finger.” Are we not dealing with matters of the Mosaic law (v.5) which were written by “the finger of God” (Exo 31:18; Deu 9:10)?

And take careful note where this takes place. Here, Christ is in the “temple courts” (v.2), “which was of stone” on its foundation (Matthew Poole’s Commentary). Was not the law written on “tablets of stone” (Exo 31:18; Deu 9:10)? Jesus is not writing in dirt, but on the “ground” (v.8), meaning “the pavement, or the dust on the pavement,” (Barnes’ Notes).

Reading this, I could hear the growl of Aslan in Jesus’ actions. “Do not cite the deep magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written.”

“The solemn silence, as He stooped down in that Temple and wrote upon its pavement, must have spoken in a power greater than that of words,” (Ellicott’s Commentary).

Yet while the implications should strongly resonate with us (it gives me goosebumps), it seems it was no miraculous action, but an intentional gesture that the Pharisees missed. They interpret Jesus’ actions as merely dismissal, His single phrase causing them consternation, and their subsequent withdrawal. It is only after they “heard this” that they “drift away one at a time” (v.9), their eyes catching nothing of significance.

But let us not be so “blind” (Mat 15:14). Behold, the Lamb of God in the flesh that has taken away the sins of the world! What He has written with His finger He has made available to us. The very oracles of God have been written down and preserved for us! Let us not neglect such opportunity and privilege. Peer into it today with awe.