Good Morning.
But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. (Exodus 7:11-13)
Throughout the ages there have always been those that the world considers to be “wise men” — those who possess knowledge unknown to most people. In the Bible, these so called wise men or wizards were believed to possess knowledge about the secrets of nature, akin to the mystery religions we are familiar with today. In reality these magicians and sorcerers practiced the dark arts and engaged in necromancy –- that is, inquiring of dead.
In response to Aaron’s rod being turned into a serpent, the magicians of Egypt were able to transform their rods into serpents as well, but they did it with “their secret arts” and sleight of hand. They, like the Adversary, were illusionists — duping foolish and wicked people. The ability to present themselves as wise and powerful enabled them and others to lead the Egyptian people into idolatry.
In today’s world, the power possessed by those considered as “wise” may be different in some ways from that of the sorcerers of Egypt, nevertheless, many are still led into error and wickedness through their influence and verbal “sleight of hand.” It is unfortunately true but, even with all of our knowledge, advanced technology and so called wisdom, foolish and wicked people still place their trust in illusions and fantasy.
Scripture tells us that those who follow this path are essentially opposing the power and purpose of God. In his letter to Timothy, Paul said:
Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 2:8-9)
The point, today, is that we should not place our trust in the wisdom of man and especially when it opposes the purpose of God. In the end, the collective wisdom of mankind will fail and be shown to be wrong. Those who seem so powerful and influential, today, will, in time, be revealed as imposters and powerless to stand before the might of our God. They, like the magicians of Egypt, will one have to confess that the power of God is supreme and His wisdom is above all. As Paul said, the wisdom and rulers of this world are “coming to nothing” (1 Corinthians 2:6). So then, let us place our trust in the wisdom that comes from above and stand on the fact that the Word of God is and will be proven to be true.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments