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| Exodus 7:8-13 |
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Lesson # Exodus 7:8-13 Study Material - Exodus 7:8-13 You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Ex. 7:8-13 8 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 9 'When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Work a miracle,' then you shall say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, that it may become a serpent.' 10 So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and thus they did just as the LORD had commanded; and Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts. 12 For each one threw down his staff and they turned into serpents. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as the LORD had said. God briefs Moses and Aaron again. They are to return to Pharaoh and again ask for the release of the Hebrew peoples. This time Pharaoh is humored and seeks to ridicule them by asking them to produce some sort of proof, a miracle, by which they may establish their credentials. 'You say you are from God? Prove it.' Of course this is not stated but it is implied in the question Pharaoh asks. 'If you are indeed from God (your God), then work some sort of miracle so that I may be impressed and convinced. Pharaoh neither intends to release the Hebrews, nor recognize the God of Israel. He just wants to impress those others who might happen to be present in his court, by his wit and by putting down these two 'shepherds'. We can just imagine the scene. Pharaoh and others, advisors and guests of the court, all decked out in their finest of clothing. And here are two shepherds dressed in their shepherd clothing. Not exactly tux's for the occasion, but still no match for those who pride themselves in their presentation to others. Moses' rod was cast down by Aaron. This is a plain stick, an actual stick, which is transformed into a snake, then back again. The Egyptian magicians use trickery and illusion to transform their sticks (actually snakes which have been drugged or made rigid by means of some sort of chemical. Perhaps something that acts like a nerve chemical). Anyway, the difference is that actual snakes are used by Egypt, and an actual stick is used by Moses. God used legitimate power, whereas the Egyptians use deception and trickery. Since the magicians were able to duplicate the action of Moses, then Moses' miracle is diluted with regard to its effect, despite Moss snake swallowing up the snakes of the Egyptian magicians. Negative people are superficial. They look at the exterior of anything and see only what they want to see. They see shepherds clothing, therefore these Hebrews are obviously inferior country folk. They see Moses stick turned into a snake and see their own magicians doing the same, and conclude that it is all a trick. Entertainment for the royal court. No one questions the depth of the trick as to the truth of the respective snakes origins. Moses came with his stick. The magicians would have had to excuse themselves to go and get their bag of tricks in order to duplicate the 'miracle'. Gods power is able to gobble up the deceptions of the world. Only those who believe and are objective are able to see the truth. Those who do not believe, will not believe the words of prophets, of instructors, the written scriptures, etc., Deu. 13:3. Sad as it might seem, there are those who will never listen to the truth of the spiritual life. This time Moses and Aaron simply delivered the message, presented the miracle (when asked to produce something), received Pharaoh's answer, and left. They did not try nor attempt to further negotiate with Pharaoh. The games was Gods, and they have now learned their lesson. At least for the time being. This miracle is not the first of the plagues, but merely an introduction to more powerful things to come. Some would look at the snake incident and believe, while others (Pharaoh) will look at the many plagues and resist defiantly to the point of their own destruction. And such is life. God presents us with a series of tests throughout our lives. Some people just know that God is THE GOD, and know that the Bible has much to offer. Others have little interest in the Bible. They are too busy hustling for a living, being 'practical', or otherwise having the time of their lives. They see nothing beyond their own immediate desires of needs. This God stuff is all a fairy tale to them. Childrens stories. That the real world is up and off to work, finding contacts, getting better connections for a better position in life, being in the right place at the right time, getting a better role of the dice, etc. And as far as life in the jungle is concerned, that part is very true. But no one controls the jungle, and life always comes to an end here on earth. Today you might be sitting pretty, but tomorrow??? What happens when the sky falls in on you? Pharaoh was not impressed by Gods power. It contained no immediate impact on him personally. There was no lightning, no pain, no loss. And for us in life, this is true for generally quite some time. God is gracious and patient. Our tests come subtly and often they are spaced far between each other. But one day we all come face to face with some form of communication, that challenges our beliefs. We either hear something on the TV or radio, or we read something like this Bible lesson, or something happens in our life that exposes us to Gods challenge. The challenge is clear and now we are without excuse. When this series of events occurs in our life, then 'beware', time is running out for anyone who remains stubborn. Pharaoh has enjoyed years of pleasure and abusive policy against the Hebrews. Moses is 80 years old. Many years have passed and it is now time to meet 'Jesus' as the saying goes. 
Now is the time to post a prayer. End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. |
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