Philosophy and Vain Deceit
281
sought to produce the lice, and could not, they were compelled by
the power of God to acknowledge even to Pharaoh, saying: “This is
the finger of God.” Satan wrought through the magicians in a manner
calculated to harden the heart of the tyrant Pharaoh against the miracu-
lous manifestations of God’s power. Satan thought to stagger the faith
of Moses and Aaron in the divine origin of their mission, and then his
instruments, the magicians, would prevail. Satan was unwilling to have
the people of Israel released from Egyptian servitude that they might
serve God. The magicians failed to produce the miracle of the lice,
and could no more imitate Moses and Aaron. God would not suffer
Satan to proceed further, and the magicians could not save themselves
from the plagues. “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 9:11
.
God’s controlling power here cut off the channel through which
Satan worked, and caused even those through whom Satan had wrought
so wonderfully to feel His wrath. Sufficient evidence was given to
[293]
Pharaoh to believe, if he would. Moses wrought by the power of
God. The magicians wrought not by their own science alone, but by
the power of their God, the devil, who ingeniously carried out his
deceptive work of counterfeiting the work of God.
As we near the close of time, the human mind is more readily
affected by Satan’s devices. He leads deceived mortals to account for
the works and miracles of Christ upon general principles. Satan has
ever been ambitious to counterfeit the work of Christ and establish
his own power and claims. He does not generally do this openly and
boldly. He is artful and knows that the most effectual way for him to
accomplish his work is to come to poor, fallen man in the form of an
angel of light. Satan came to Christ in the wilderness in the form of a
beautiful young man—more like a monarch than a fallen angel—with
scripture in his mouth. Said he: “It is written.” Our suffering Saviour
met him with scripture, saying: “It is written.” Satan took advantage
of the weak, suffering condition of Christ, who had taken upon Him
our human nature.
Read
Matthew 4:8-11
: “Again, the devil taketh Him up into an
exceeding high mountain, and showeth Him all the kingdoms of the
world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, All these things will
I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus