Plagues on Egypt
129
and severe, until the proud heart of the king would be humbled, and
he should acknowledge the Maker of the heavens and the earth as the
living and all-powerful God.
The Lord brought up his people from their long servitude in a
signal manner, giving the Egyptians an opportunity to exhibit the
feeble wisdom of their mighty men, and array the power of their gods
in opposition to the God of Heaven. The Lord showed them by his
servant Moses that the Maker of the heavens and the earth is the living
and all-powerful God, above all gods. That his strength was mightier
[205]
than the strongest—that Omnipotence could bring forth his people
with a high hand and with an out-stretched arm. The signs and miracles
performed in the presence of Pharaoh were not given for his benefit
alone, but for the advantage of God’s people, to give them more clear
and exalted views of God, and that all Israel should fear him, and be
willing and anxious to leave Egypt, and choose the service of the true
and merciful God. Had it not been for these wonderful manifestations,
many would have been satisfied to remain in Egypt rather than to
journey through the wilderness.
“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. And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he
hearkened not unto them, as the Lord had said.”
The magicians seemed to perform several things with their en-
chantments similar to those things which God wrought by the hand
of Moses and Aaron. They did not really cause their rods to become
serpents, but by magic, aided by the great deceiver, made them to
[206]
appear like serpents, to counterfeit the work of God. Satan assisted his
servants to resist the work of the Most High, in order to deceive the
people, and encourage them in their rebellion. Pharaoh would grasp
at the least evidence he could obtain to justify himself in resisting the
work of God, performed by Moses and Aaron. He told these servants
of God that his magicians could do all these wonders. The difference
between the work of God and that of the magicians was, one was of
God, the other of Satan. One was true, the other false.