"But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you" (Luke 11:20, NIV).
Jesus was accused casting out demons by the power of Satan. He challenged that notion by expressing the counter-productivity of such activity. A house divided cannot stand. He called his audience to recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in his ministry.
We know that Jesus meant "Spirit" when he said, "finger of God," because Matthew told us so in Matthew 12:28. Matthew most likely translates Jesus' words in order to help his readers. The reference to the "finger of God" is an obscure one. The expression only occurs 3 other times in the Bible.
It occurs first in Exodus 8:19. In this verse, the magicians of Pharaoh are warning him to let Israel go because God was at work against Egypt. The reference to the "finger of God" might have been meant to suggest that his judgment had been light up onto that point, and that Pharaoh should not provoke God to bring harsher judgment.
It occurs again in Exodus 31:18. This verse refers to the two stone tablets that were "inscribed by the finger of God." Deuteronomy 9:10 also references the finger of God.
So why does Jesus use the expression? His original audience would have understood his allusion. They would have likely connected his words with Exodus 8:19 or Exodus 31:18.
If Jesus was referring to Exodus 8:19, he was probably stressing the parallel between himself and the pharisees and Moses and Pharaoh. Pharaoh's magicians recognized that the power of God was at work in Moses, and encourage Pharaoh to respond appropriately. However, he only hardened his heart. The pharisees should have recognized the power of God in Jesus' life and responded accordingly, but they only hardened their hearts.
If Jesus was referring to Exodus 31:18, then he was comparing himself with the two stone tablets--the Spirit initiated revelation of God's will. It may have been that Jesus was encouraging them to understand that he spoke the very words of God.
Whatever, Jesus meant by using the term "finger of God," we can be certain he was speaking of the Spirit. We can also draw a couple of lessons from what he says.
1. Jesus was empowered by the Spirit, and it made him more powerful than his enemies. It is true that Jesus is fully divine and fully human, but his earthly ministry was performed in the Spirit's power not his own. Therefore, Jesus serves as an example to all those who are indwelt by the Spirit. We have power to do the will of God because the Holy Spirit lives in us.
2. The Spirit's presence is God's presence. We dwell in the presence of God because the Spirit dwells within us.
When we keep these truths in mind, they help us to keep on keeping on. The Spirit is power of God revealing God's will to his people. And he lives in and guides those who believe.
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