Signs, wonders, and miracles, performed through individuals, were manifested only on two occasions in all of the Old Testament.
They were manifested by Moses and Aaron surrounding Israel's deliverance from Egypt, with a view to the nation's entrance into the land of Canaan; and they were manifested by Moses' successor, Joshua, surrounding Israel's subsequent entrance into the land of Canaan (Ex. 4:29-31; 7:10ff; Joshua 3:7ff; 10:12-14).
That was the first occasion. The second was a manifestation by Elijah and his successor Elisha, some five hundred years later (I Kings 17:1ff; II Kings 2:13ff).
Outside of these two occasions there is not a single reference to an individual being empowered to perform signs, wonders, and miracles throughout all of the Old Testament Scriptures. Numerous miracles are recorded in these Scriptures (e.g., the burning bush which was not consumed [Ex. 3:2], the sun being moved back ten degrees on the dial [Isa. 38:7, 8], the three Israelites being protected in the fiery furnace [Dan. 3:19-25], or Jonah being raised from the dead [Jonah 1:17-2:10]), but these were miraculous works performed directly by God, not by individuals whom God had empowered to perform them.
Note that the manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles during the days of Moses, Aaron, and Joshua was in relation to Israel and the kingdom. Supernatural manifestations of power occurred relative to Israel being removed from Egypt and being established in the land of Canaan, within a theocracy.
Thus, a first-mention principle was set forth at this point in Scripture, establishing an unchangeable truth. Any time there is a mention of signs, wonders, and miracles being performed by individuals beyond this point, both Israel and the Kingdom have to be in view.
During the days of Elijah and Elisha the people of Israel had been established in the land, within a theocracy, for about five hundred years. But, because of continued disobedience on the part of the people, the theocracy never reached the heights which God had intended. The theocracy reached its greatest heights during the days of David and his son Solomon (though far from the heights which God had intended); but after that, following the division of the kingdom, things began to go in another direction entirely. And it was during these days that Elijah was called forth (with Elisha finishing his ministry) to call the nation to repentance.
The manifestation of signs, wonders, and miracles accompanying their ministry pertained to Israel and the kingdom. They had to, for a first-mention principle had previously been established; and any future manifestation had to be exactly in accord with the way matters were set forth at the beginning. The signs, wonders, and miracles were simply the credentials of those manifesting them in Israel's presence. Through a manifestation of supernatural powers accompanying the message, Israel was to recognize that the messenger had been sent from God; and the people were to heed the message accordingly (Ex. 4:1-9, 29-31).
The people of Israel though failed to heed the message; the nation didn't repent. And the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities followed (722 B.C. and 605 B.C. respectively).
"The times of the Gentiles" began with the Babylonian captivity, has lasted to the present day, and will last until the end of the Tribulation. This is simply a prolonged, uninterrupted period of time -- lasting about 2,600 years -- during which Israel must dwell apart from a theocracy and remain scattered among the Gentile nations. And the Gentiles, among whom Israel dwells, will hold the sceptre throughout this time.
After moving through 1,500 years of Jewish history and seeing signs, wonders, and miracles manifested at only two different points within that history, things suddenly changed. Israel's Messiah (following the ministry of His forerunner, John the Baptist) appeared with a message concerning the kingdom of the heavens; and this message was accompanied by numerous signs, wonders, and miracles (Matt. 4:17-25; 8:1ff).
Then, in conjunction with and very early in His ministry, Christ called twelve disciples to help carry this message; and they were empowered to perform signs, wonders, and miracles in connection with their ministry as well (Matt. 10:5-8).
(Also, Jesus later "appointed" seventy others to go "before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come" -- though very little is said about them in the gospel accounts -- and He empowered them to perform signs, wonders, and miracles as well [Luke 10:1-19].
Thus, at this time, there was a manifestation of supernatural signs in the camp of Israel unlike anything heretofore seen in the history of the nation.)
(This is why Christ, near the end of His earthly ministry, condemned the actions of the Scribes and Pharisees -- the fundamental religious leaders of that day -- in no uncertain terms [Matt. 23:1ff]. They had heard the true message, and they had seen the accompanying miraculous powers, authenticating the message; but they had rejected the message and had sought to do away with the accompanying supernatural powers, mainly through attacking the Messenger.
The Scribes and Pharisees had sought to discredit the Messenger in the eyes of the people, bringing about reproach on the Messenger and casting doubt on His message [e.g., Matt. 9:27-34; 12:22-24; cf. John 12:10, 11]. And, whether by word or deed, this resulted in their bearing a false message to the people of Israel [Matt. 23:13].)