Pharaoh's Magicians

Although most are familiar with the story of Moses, most are probably unaware that Pharaoh's magicians were able to duplicate his miracles to some extent.  Consider...

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.  Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.  For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:10-12)

And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.  And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.  And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 7:20-22)

And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.  And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.  And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:5-7)

However a time came when the magicians could not continue to match Moses's miracles.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.  17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.  18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.  19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. (Exodus 8:16-19)

And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.  9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.  10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.  11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. (Exodus 9:8-11)

All this may seem fanciful to you, however these magicians have successors today, occultists having knowledge of the same magic and gaining in power.  This evil had long been covered by the inability of scholars to read the ancient Egyptian language, but was loosed in the middle 19th century by the deciphering of the Rosetta stone.  Soon magic scrolls could be read and practiced as real witchcraft.  With this access, Aleister Crowley - known at the time as the most evil man in the world - developed the basis for modern occultism including Wicca, Neopaganism, and Satanism.

With the rise of this evil, the world has come under attack and manipulation.  Christianity has been specifically targeted so that many have experienced attack, increasing over the years.  Although felt by many, conservative Christians seem to have suffered the most - resulting in the observation that Christians were falling away in sufficient numbers to fulfill prophecy.  This is enabled by a departure of the Church from important foundations such as complete faith in the Bible, new birth, a concern to oppose and refrain from sin, and holy living.  Indeed the intellectual faith depended on by many is no defense against the devil.  Those who would stand and even succeed in face of this onslaught need to rediscover the power of a godly life.  Moses did -  do you think him not under attack in his conflict - and so did others.  Consider Elijah...

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:16-18)

Many will reply that they feel the weight of sin so that they consider godliness unattainable.  However a person with a heart's cry to overcome will have every favor of God in that pursuit.  For those who think righteousness a boring place to be - with no fun - don't realize the gratification of the attainment and the rewards of God that follow.  There is an emotional reward from God in this place:  sometimes subtle, contentment, peace, or even joy.  Even in difficulty, it is better with Jesus than going alone.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  (Matthew 5:6)

The journey of righteousness can take many turns with obstacles and breakthroughs all which require the Holy Spirit's help to succeed.  Compartments of a person's life offered get cleaned and those cleaned to the filling by the Spirit.  Then you will succeed this way...

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Finally, although I don't push it, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit of Pentecostalism may really help at some point.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  (Acts 1:8)

Win this battle!


Document History
January 17, 2022.  Created.