Wise Men and Magic
As I read through Exodus, I am inspired and excited about how God's redeeming love is eminent. He allows us to be tested, and despite our disbelief, fear, anxiety, and even despite the fact that we make our lives so loud with circumstance, the Lord continues to promise and lead us. I think of the amount of time it took Moses to finally speak to Pharaoh. He doubted himself because of his weaknesses. It is such a testament to our human nature when I read of Moses lecturing God. "I can't," he says. "I Am," the Lord responds. We doubt. We fear. We forget Whom we serve. And He says it best: "I Am."
There are so many remarkable lessons I learn from the book of Exodus. The more I read through it, the better I understand God's love for me.
But something stood out to me in particular. I thought it was worth a blog post, because it made me think...
Moses is tested before he goes to speak to Pharaoh. He speaks to the Hebrews, who don't believe him. He doubts, he argues with God, but eventually the 80-something year old makes it to Pharaoh and boasts the task of asking Pharaoh to release his own workers; his slaves. Immediately, Pharaoh questions Moses. "You are lazy." He condemns. He blames. He forces the Hebrews to work harder. As a result, the Hebrews begin to doubt. Moses begins to complain. Frustration, anxiety, doubt. Immediate release is not a part of the story line.
Eventually, God promises to reveal His glory. I find God in this story to be in a position of constant encouragement. Just wait, he reminds Moses. He solicits Moses's patience for more than 6 chapters. "I will use my great power against him"(Exodus 6:1)
Lurking in the scenes that follow are the magicians. Moses and Aaron finally begin to see God's promises come to fruition: Pharaoh becomes stubborn as God said he would. Sticks are turned into snakes. A river turns to blood. Frogs infest the kingdom. Gnats discourage the Egyptians further. Flies, disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of a firstborn son. All punishments, miracles...really; God proving his power, might, and glory. But those magicians. In the first of the punishments, they are able to do the same things as Moses and Aaron. They too can make a snake from a stick. Frogs appear at their request. The Nile turns to blood. Almost irritatingly, the wise men and magicians work to disprove the Glory of the Lord. Mocking the miracles. Imitating His power.
It isn't until they are weakened by boils that the magicians become unable to work.
This reminds me so much of our world today. If I were Moses and Aaron, I might begin to doubt God...again.
The world seems like this to me sometimes. I can see how it would be easy to question the significance of following Christ. Why do I put so much effort into reading the Bible, going to Church, seeking after the things of the Lord? In fact, I know so many non-Christians who are the same, if not better people than many Christians that I know.
The world seems to imitate the workings of Christ so often:
Love one another. Peace for all people. Accept. Coexist. Equality....
Sometimes, the ideas and promises of the things of this world seem to be even more accepting and loving than the promises of the Bible. The world begins to remind me of the wise men and magicians in the Pharaoh's kingdom. Why would Pharaoh submit to the requests of the Lord? His wise men could do all of the same things that Moses and Aaron could. Why would I go to church? Why would I follow Jesus? He seems to promise the same things as the world does, just in a more close-minded way. He is a nice man and everything, but it might seem ridiculous to follow a God who disagrees with all things that make life "fun".
The truth is, the magicians were capable. They offered many of the same circumstantial, immediate promises that God was at the time. They had wise words. They spoke probably more eloquent than Moses; who had a stutter. To the outside perspective, the life to be lived by the Egyptian would seem more fruitful and blessed than that of a Hebrew. Released from the chains of slavery, religion that boasted many miracles. To the outsider, the life of an Egyptian might make more sense.
I can relate to Moses. I tell God all of the time of my lackluster character traits. I argue that I am not fit to be used in certain instances. Even hitting "send" in my blog posts give me anxiety pains. I am not worthy. I am tested. And eventually, when I find myself serving God, I am easily distracted by the things of this world. It seems so much easier to not follow Christ. I want to give into my own desires. "Find my inner self." And what is so bad about "coexisting" and accepting other religions? Why can't I have more understanding of others?
My answer is written through the pages of history. God ALWAYS prevails. He always wins. And in fact, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I know everyone knows the end of the story. The Hebrews exit Egypt. The wise men and then magicians, and the all-powerful, god-like Pharaoh can't stop the workings of our Lord. As He splits open the Red Sea for their final goodbye, God reveals the promise He whispered to Moses all along. "I Am." No one else. Just Him. And for thousands of years since, God has been just as patient, loving, understanding, and encouraging as he was that day on the water. He plans to do great things with us, and for us. All we have to do is trust Him. Follow Him. And humbly disregard the teachings of this world. Because as many have learned before us, those promises of peace and freedom are empty. Nothing a wise man can do will override the power and the glory of I Am. Even he will bow down.
"And Moses said unto the people: Do not fear! Stand and see the deliverance of Hashem which he shall do for you this day. For as you have seen Egypt this day, never will you see it again." (Exodus 14:13)
It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" Romans 14:11
"and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11
There are so many remarkable lessons I learn from the book of Exodus. The more I read through it, the better I understand God's love for me.
But something stood out to me in particular. I thought it was worth a blog post, because it made me think...
Moses is tested before he goes to speak to Pharaoh. He speaks to the Hebrews, who don't believe him. He doubts, he argues with God, but eventually the 80-something year old makes it to Pharaoh and boasts the task of asking Pharaoh to release his own workers; his slaves. Immediately, Pharaoh questions Moses. "You are lazy." He condemns. He blames. He forces the Hebrews to work harder. As a result, the Hebrews begin to doubt. Moses begins to complain. Frustration, anxiety, doubt. Immediate release is not a part of the story line.
Eventually, God promises to reveal His glory. I find God in this story to be in a position of constant encouragement. Just wait, he reminds Moses. He solicits Moses's patience for more than 6 chapters. "I will use my great power against him"(Exodus 6:1)
Lurking in the scenes that follow are the magicians. Moses and Aaron finally begin to see God's promises come to fruition: Pharaoh becomes stubborn as God said he would. Sticks are turned into snakes. A river turns to blood. Frogs infest the kingdom. Gnats discourage the Egyptians further. Flies, disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of a firstborn son. All punishments, miracles...really; God proving his power, might, and glory. But those magicians. In the first of the punishments, they are able to do the same things as Moses and Aaron. They too can make a snake from a stick. Frogs appear at their request. The Nile turns to blood. Almost irritatingly, the wise men and magicians work to disprove the Glory of the Lord. Mocking the miracles. Imitating His power.
It isn't until they are weakened by boils that the magicians become unable to work.
This reminds me so much of our world today. If I were Moses and Aaron, I might begin to doubt God...again.
The world seems like this to me sometimes. I can see how it would be easy to question the significance of following Christ. Why do I put so much effort into reading the Bible, going to Church, seeking after the things of the Lord? In fact, I know so many non-Christians who are the same, if not better people than many Christians that I know.
The world seems to imitate the workings of Christ so often:
Love one another. Peace for all people. Accept. Coexist. Equality....
Sometimes, the ideas and promises of the things of this world seem to be even more accepting and loving than the promises of the Bible. The world begins to remind me of the wise men and magicians in the Pharaoh's kingdom. Why would Pharaoh submit to the requests of the Lord? His wise men could do all of the same things that Moses and Aaron could. Why would I go to church? Why would I follow Jesus? He seems to promise the same things as the world does, just in a more close-minded way. He is a nice man and everything, but it might seem ridiculous to follow a God who disagrees with all things that make life "fun".
The truth is, the magicians were capable. They offered many of the same circumstantial, immediate promises that God was at the time. They had wise words. They spoke probably more eloquent than Moses; who had a stutter. To the outside perspective, the life to be lived by the Egyptian would seem more fruitful and blessed than that of a Hebrew. Released from the chains of slavery, religion that boasted many miracles. To the outsider, the life of an Egyptian might make more sense.
I can relate to Moses. I tell God all of the time of my lackluster character traits. I argue that I am not fit to be used in certain instances. Even hitting "send" in my blog posts give me anxiety pains. I am not worthy. I am tested. And eventually, when I find myself serving God, I am easily distracted by the things of this world. It seems so much easier to not follow Christ. I want to give into my own desires. "Find my inner self." And what is so bad about "coexisting" and accepting other religions? Why can't I have more understanding of others?
My answer is written through the pages of history. God ALWAYS prevails. He always wins. And in fact, He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I know everyone knows the end of the story. The Hebrews exit Egypt. The wise men and then magicians, and the all-powerful, god-like Pharaoh can't stop the workings of our Lord. As He splits open the Red Sea for their final goodbye, God reveals the promise He whispered to Moses all along. "I Am." No one else. Just Him. And for thousands of years since, God has been just as patient, loving, understanding, and encouraging as he was that day on the water. He plans to do great things with us, and for us. All we have to do is trust Him. Follow Him. And humbly disregard the teachings of this world. Because as many have learned before us, those promises of peace and freedom are empty. Nothing a wise man can do will override the power and the glory of I Am. Even he will bow down.
"And Moses said unto the people: Do not fear! Stand and see the deliverance of Hashem which he shall do for you this day. For as you have seen Egypt this day, never will you see it again." (Exodus 14:13)
It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" Romans 14:11
"and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:11
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