seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Exodus 7:8 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 9 “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a snake.”
10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the Lord commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
The blueletterbible.org commentary offers this interesting clarification.
The first time Moses appeared before Pharaoh we have no record of a sign performed (Exodus 5). Perhaps Moses figured that the absence of a sign was what made him unsuccessful - now with the miracle, surely Pharaoh will be impressed!
In the midst of an unmistakable miracle, Satan provided Pharaoh with a reason to doubt - and Pharaoh seized on the doubt and hardened his heart.
How did the magicians of Egypt do this with their enchantments? Apparently, this wasn't mere magic - this was demonic power showing itself in truly supernatural miracles.
How did the magicians of Egypt do this with their enchantments? Apparently, this wasn't mere magic - this was demonic power showing itself in truly supernatural miracles.
This was a clear demonstration of God's superior power. Still, Pharaoh hardened his heart and he did it despite the evidence, not because of it.
This also shows God has a sense of humor. Imagine the look on the faces of Pharaoh and the magicians when Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods!
Here's what the easy English site has on these verses.
That is only one of the three signs that God gave to Moses (Exodus 4:2-7). Now Aaron did it in front of Pharaoh. In these verses, the word ‘snake’ does not refer to an ordinary snake.
Here, it means something much bigger and more terrible than an ordinary snake. A large snake was the royal sign of power in Egypt. But Aaron’s stick showed that God’s power was greater. His snake was bigger and more powerful than the other snakes. Pharaoh’s men, who used magic, managed to imitate Aaron’s action. But God was in control. Jewish history names two of the men who used magic here. They were Johannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8).
Pharaoh had decided that he would refuse. Nobody would cause him to change his decision. But God knows people’s secret thoughts. And he had warned Moses that would happen.
Here, it means something much bigger and more terrible than an ordinary snake. A large snake was the royal sign of power in Egypt. But Aaron’s stick showed that God’s power was greater. His snake was bigger and more powerful than the other snakes. Pharaoh’s men, who used magic, managed to imitate Aaron’s action. But God was in control. Jewish history names two of the men who used magic here. They were Johannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8).
Pharaoh had decided that he would refuse. Nobody would cause him to change his decision. But God knows people’s secret thoughts. And he had warned Moses that would happen.
I have nightmares about snakes from time to time. I'm glad I wasn't there when Aaron and the two Egyptians were fighting with turning their sticks to snakes. I would have a horrible time enjoying the woods.
