Exodus 7:8-13 is not just about a skirmish of snakes, but it shows us a confrontation of sovereignties. Every great account begins with a preface – a moment to set the stage for what is to come. In the Exodus, the plagues to come will be an incredible act, but before the river turns into blood and the land is covered in darkness, God gives us a preface with a showdown of snakes in the throne room. Pharoah, and the Egyptian people, think him to be a god. Yahweh, I AM, declares his sovereignty and supremacy over Pharoah, his crown, his symbol of power, and his gods. This points us to God’s signs and wonders that will escalate until Egypt, and Pharoah, is broken and Israel is freed.
I. God Equips His Servants (Vv. 8-10)
a. Aaron is empowered by God to perform a sign that is a challenge to Egypt’s symbol (the serpent) of sovereignty. This miracle is a direct confrontation of Pharaoh’s claim to divinity and authority.
b. There is great application for the believer in this passage about consistency and perseverance. What do we do when we are called to a mission, and everything seems to go wrong? (Exodus 4:2-5, 29-30) We must trust and obey God’s timing and continue to be faithful to what God calls us to do.
II. The Enemies’ Counterfeits May Deceive, But Cannot Deliver (Vv. 11-12a)
a. Pharaoh calls on magicians to use their “secret arts” to produce the sign of the serpent. Magicians held great influence in Egyptian society, and their goal was to reinforce the divinity of Pharaoh. It is important to note Satan’s capacity to imitate but never redeem. Demonic forces and spiritual warfare should cause us to be alert and guard ourselves from deception. (Eph. 6:12) Satan uses subtle, cultural and appealing counterfeits to deceive.
III. God’s is Supreme and His Power is Unmatched (Vv. 12b-13)
a. The God given sign of the serpent swallows up the magician’s serpents and demonstrates God’s supremacy. Egypt’s gods and the demonic forces at work are powerless before Yahweh. The very symbol used as protection for Pharaoh, is brought to nothing in his very court and throne room. This leads to a further hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, despite the clear evidence of God’s supremacy. (Heb. 3:13)
Seeing Christ: The cross is God’s great act to swallow death, hell and the grave. Satan, the serpent was crushed. Now, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Application: This passage encourages us to have confidence in God’s mission, warns us to have discernment in a world full of counterfeits, hope in Christ’s triumph, and preaches not to harden our hearts at the evidence of God Almighty.