(Reviewed)
The magicians of Egypt were unable to duplicate the miracle of transforming dust into life. Defeated, they manifested their limited powers and were compelled to exclaim: “This is the finger of God.” However, their confession had no visible effect on the conscience of Pharaoh, and he continued with a stony heart and a deaf ear to disregard the pleas of Moses for the release of God’s people.
Perhaps it will be profitable to consider the character and power of the magicians who, up to this point, seemed to successfully meet every challenge of God’s representatives.
These men were Satan’s tools, used by him insofar as he was able, to thwart God’s purposes, just as Pharaoh with his position of authority was likewise employed. The target of this resistance was principally Moses, who with Aaron, was God’s messenger. Moses is a type of Christ, separated from his people for long years, but returning to them and soon to be their deliverer. So Christ, the true Messiah of Israel, presently separated from His earthly people, will one day return in power to take up His rightful place in their midst and deliver them from their enemies. In Zechariah 2:10,1110Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. 11And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (Zechariah 2:10‑11), we read: Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD... and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent Me unto thee.” But before that day, He will come to take out of this world all those who in this day of grace have trusted Him for salvation.
The attacks of Pharaoh and his magicians against Moses in type speak of Satan’s attacks against the Lord Jesus who came into this world to save sinners. The king of Egypt had once sought to kill Moses. Now we read of Pharaoh resisting God’s’ servant to the full extent of His power, and using the magicians to discredit the miraculous signs that displayed the divine authority invested in Moses and Aaron. Soon after the blessed Saviour was born in Bethlehem’s manger, Satan through Herod sought unsuccess. fully to kill Him. Then by means of the religious leaders he sought to discredit Jesus, and thought himself triumphant when the Lord of glory was crucified. We know, hover, that the Saviour had come “to give His life a ransom for many,” and all the power of Satan could not have availed to nail Him on the cross if the will of God had not allowed it. But, blessed be God, the One who appeared to be the victim of the enemy’s power at the cross, was Himself triumphant over death, rising from the tomb as the mighty Victor over Satan, whose purposes were entirely frustrated and defeated.
Jannes and Jambres, doubtless the leaders of the Egyptian magicians, are mentioned by Paul as having withstood Moses. He compares to them those who by imitation were resisting the truth in the Church (2 Tim. 3:88Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8)). The judgment of God fell upon them also (Ex. 9:1111And 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)), and as their folly was manifest in contending with the God of Israel, so shall the folly of those who oppose the truth now.
ML 10/27/1968