The tax collectors came to Capernaum and asked Peter if he
and Jesus were going to pay the temple tax (Ex. 30:13). When Peter went into
the house to inform Him, Jesus spoke about the tax before Peter could say
anything. He told Peter to throw a hook into the Sea of Galilee and the
first fish he caught would have a coin in its mouth, which was the amount
to pay the temple tax (Matt. 17:24-27).
If you’re single and wonder how
you’ll find the right person to marry, or if you’re unemployed and need a
job, Matthew 17 shows how God can make a divine appointment to meet your
need. If God can lead a fish to a man,
He can lead a woman to a man, or a man to a woman, or a jobless person to a job.
Jesus knew about the need
before Peter told Him. Matthew 17:25 says Jesus spoke to Him first about the tax. Even though Jesus wasn't outside to hear the
conversation, He wanted Peter to know He knew of the need before he asked.
“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matt. 6:8).
Jesus told him to throw
out a hook, not a net. Jesus didn’t tell him to throw out a net and
sort through all the fish one by one. He told Peter to throw out a line. Many
times when God wants to provide, He asks us to throw out a line. He
may ask you to fill out a job application, make a phone call, or move to a new
location.
Peter had no control over which fish would bite on his
hook. All he could do was throw out a line, hold the pole, and trust God to
put the right fish on the hook. After you obey what God says, you may need
to patiently wait for Him to make the divine connection. “Rest in the
Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Ps. 37:7)
Out of the thousands of fish in the sea, only one
had a coin in its mouth. Peter cast out his line and waited for a nibble. His cork
began to bob and then disappeared under water. He pulled back on his pole,
lifting the fish out of the sea. When he opened its mouth he found a stater inside,
the exact amount to pay the tax for Jesus and Peter.
The only way it could have been more miraculous
was if he took the coin out of its mouth and the fish said, "TA-DA!" The right fish
was at the right place at the right time with the right amount.
God's divine appointments never
disappoint.