"We have seen strange things today" (Luk 5:26); so said the people, after they had seen the working of Christ's power in the healing of the palsied man. We shall find many strange things mentioned in the Bible.
1. Idolatry. Strange gods. "Put away the strange gods" (Gen 35:2). Before there can be communion with God at Bethel, there must be separation from idols. There is a Tree where we can bury idols, namely, Christ, the Tree of Life, for death with Him is separation from things that are strange to Him (2Cr 5:14, R.V.).
2. Sacrifice. Strange fire. "Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire before the Lord" (Lev 10:1). To offer strange fire was to take fire that had not fed upon a sacrifice, as the Lord had commanded (Exd 30:9; Lev 16:12).
3. Degeneration. Strange vine. "How art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me?" (Jer 2:21). Disobedience is the mother of degeneration.
4. Disturbers. Strange doctrines. "Be not carried about with strange doctrines" (Hbr 13:9). Strange doctrines are the teachings of men, which are contrary to the Word of Truth. These are as a strong wind which carries the vessel on to the rocks.
5. Opposition. Strange thinking. "They think it strange that ye run not with them" (1Pe 4:4). Because the believer will not go with the world, the world therefore opposes him.
6. Trial. Trials seemingly strange. "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial" (1Pe 4:12). Trials are like nuts with hard shells. They may be hard like the shells, but they have within them the kernels of blessing.
7. Judgment. Strange work. "The Lord shall rise up…and do His strange work" (Isa 28:21). The Lord would much rather exercise His mercy in grace than exhibit His might in wrath.