Scripture: Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “When Pharaoh says to you, Prove yourselves by working a miracle,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.'” So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
Exodus 7:8-13 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Yahweh declares that he has made Abraham like God to Pharaoh and Aaron a prophet to Moses. Then, the verb tense turns to the future with a series of “I will” statements:
- I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.
- I will stretch out my hand against Egypt.
- I will bring my people out from Egypt by great acts of judgment.
The result? The people of Egypt will know that Yahweh is “I AM.” Admirably, Moses and Aaron, now older and wiser, express no further doubts or concerns but prudently obey and take action.
In today’s reading, Yahweh informs Moses and Aaron that Pharaoh will demand a miraculous sign to prove themselves when confronted. As evidence, Moses must command Aaron to cast his staff to the ground before Pharaoh so that it may become a serpent. And as the Lord predicted, each element of this first confrontation occurs as indicated. But God did not share with Moses and Aaron what would follow: Pharaoh’s magicians would duplicate the miracle, only to have Aaron’s staff swallow up their serpent-like staffs. Still, as the Lord foretold, Pharaoh would not listen to them because God hardened his heart.
Takeaway: The Hebrew word for “serpent” (tannîn) can also mean a sea dragon (see Ezekiel 29:3) or sea monster (see Psalm 74:13). The common element is a slivering water creature, of which the snakes of the Nile would apply. But how could Pharaoh’s sorcerers perform such a supernatural feat? Our best answer comes from John’s Revelation, where we read of Satan working through his minions (two beasts) to perform supernatural acts that would deceive the people (Revelations 13). Indeed, those who practice the magic arts knowingly or unwittingly serve Satan, who is the father of lies (John 8:44) and deception (Revelation 12:9). But Paraoh’s magicians will soon run out of spellbinding trickery, having just two more acts of deception with the first and second plagues (the next two Daily Focus devotions).
Our takeaway? Overarching in this story is the reliability of God’s foretold word. His sovereign purposes guide Moses and Aaron and harden Pharaoh’s heart. Indeed, as mentioned in previous Daily Focus reflections, our Creator, unbound by time and space, accomplishes his perfect covenant-keeping will by orchestrating our free will decisions toward a greater good. Pharaoh thinks he’s in control and knows better than those who speak for the Hebrew God, but he unwittingly and predictably plays his part in the script of Israel’s deliverance from bondage.
There is also a secondary takeaway. God does not spell out all the twists and turns along the way. There will be moments that surprise and baffle us: adversaries who appear at first to have the upper hand, only to be thwarted (as were Pharoah’s magicians). But our God will triumph; his overarching predictions will not fail.
Our part? Assuming we can get our minds around the mystery of our free will subjugated to our Lord’s sovereign reign, it’s excellent news. The Lord’s predictions will play out; his word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). So, we must rely on the truths of Scripture that foretell how the history of our world unfolds—even when enemies appear to have the upper hand. For the hearts of those called by God will turn toward him, and the hearts of those who think they are in control will harden against him to their demise. And in the last days, our Lord will return and make everything new (Revelation 21:5). His staff will swallow up the Serpent and deliver creation from its bondage. Indeed, his unfailing predictions are the best news ever for those who know and love him!
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your unfailing Word revealed through Scripture that teaches us from its history and prepares us for what lies ahead. And we thank you that, in Christ, we know the ending to your meta-narrative of creation. So, please help us rely on your unfailing predictions that promise our deliverance (John 10:28-29) and eternal place in your glorious kingdom (John 14:2). Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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