How does Exodus 7:11 demonstrate Pharaoh's resistance to God's commands? Setting the scene God has just sent Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh. Aaron’s staff becomes a serpent as a visible sign that the LORD alone has power over Egypt. The text (Exodus 7:11) “Then Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing by their secret arts.” Pharaoh’s immediate reaction • He summons his court magicians on the spot. • He deliberately seeks a naturalistic or occult counter-sign instead of submitting to the LORD’s sign. • By choosing magic, he tries to reduce God’s miracle to a parlor trick rather than an authoritative command. Ways this action reveals resistance • Rejection of divine authority - God commands Pharaoh through Moses, “Let My people go” (Exodus 5:1; 6:10-11). Pharaoh sidesteps the command by challenging the evidence rather than obeying it. • Hardened heart in real time - Exodus 7:13 notes that “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.” Verse 11 shows how: he trusts human and demonic power over God’s word. • Dependence on counterfeit power - 2 Timothy 3:8 recalls Jannes and Jambres, men “who opposed Moses,” illustrating that imitation wonders can mask rebellion. • Public defiance - Involving court magicians makes resistance a state policy; Pharaoh’s whole administration rallies against the LORD. • Attempt to control the narrative - If magicians can duplicate the sign, Pharaoh can claim there’s no need to heed an outsider’s God. Additional biblical echoes • Isaiah 47:12-13—Babylon clings to enchantments instead of repenting. • Revelation 16:13-14—demonic signs lead kings to war against God. Each instance shows that counterfeit wonders foster stubborn rebellion rather than faith. Key takeaways • Miracles confront us with a choice: humble submission or proud rationalization. • Counterfeit spirituality can appear powerful, yet it cannot cancel God’s commands. • Rejecting God’s clear word always hardens the heart (Hebrews 3:7-13). • True obedience begins when we trust God’s revelation rather than seek alternatives that let us stay in control. |
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