Exodus 7:8-25

“For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” (Exodus 7:12, NKJV)

Pharaoh had asked the question, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let the people go?” (Exodus 5:2). Through one sign and ten plagues, God would show him exactly who He was. These were intended not only to judge Pharaoh for his stubbornness, but also the Egyptian gods. The LORD demonstrated to the world that there is no other god like Him.

At first, it seemed like Pharaoh’s magicians were keeping up. They threw down their rods and they became serpents. They were also able to turn water into blood. But it was clear that they were inferior. Aaron’s serpent ate up their serpents! They could turn water into blood, but they were powerless to end the curse and turn the Nile from blood back to water.

This is often how Satan works. He seeks to imitate the works of God. He is a deceiver and the father of lies. He is a murderer who seeks to threaten and destroy. At first, he seems to get the upper hand in the conflict. But God will ultimately defeat and destroy him. And if we continue to trust in the LORD, then we will overcome him.

Do not be bewitched and bedazzled by Satan’s devices. Do not be afraid. Rather, learn to resist the devil and hold fast to the LORD and to His Word, and you will see His salvation. The battle belongs to the LORD, and He will glorify His name!

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Revelation 12:11, NIV)