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Demons and other evil spirits in Exodus By JOHN CHOPORES In Ex. 7:11 But
Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt,
they also did in like manner with their enchantments. The Hebrew word used here for “enchantments”, is “lahatim”: this word
has the mean to “burn, to set on fire”, it probably has a reference to these
magicians burning incense, making sacrifices, and using drugs, as a means of
calling up asking for the assistance of demons! This is to be expected, because of Satan’s desire for
humanity to trust in evil spirits and spiritual power; instead of trusting in
the true God and His Holy Spirit angels for help and assistance. There are basically two views on how the magicians were able to copy the snake miracle before by Moses and Aaron. One view is that it was a trick of sleight of hand, in other words the snakes being hidden until the time for their parents. Another view is that this or pencil were created by the power of demonic spirits. This last view seems to me to be the most unlikely. For nowhere in the Old Testament, do we ever see a demon creating life! In fact nowhere in the Bible to we ever see Satan
himself creating life out of nothing. The creating of life out of nothing appears
to be only possible by the power, authority, and Will of God himself! For in
genesis Chapter one first one we see God only creating the universe. Also God
is referred to as being the source of life. It appears from the New Testament that Satan and the
spirits under him are very adept at deception, lying, and presenting false
miracles. Cf.2 Thess.2: 9 The coming of the lawless one is according to
the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all
unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the
love of the truth, that they might be saved. Word studies: Hebrew word for “sorcerer”
is “kashaph” it means: “to whisper a spell”. Magicians: Heb. word is “chartom”
it means: “a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or
circles)”. The Hebrew word for “did” is “asah”,
it means, “act with effect”. It is in the Imperfect Mood, and so, is an
incomplete action. The Hebrew word used here for “” is “lahat” which means: “secret arts, enchantments, i.e., magic arts with a focus on the secret elements and mysterious things in those arts”[1] Ex.11: 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and
they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. In spite of the Devils efforts, the miracle performed by
Moses, through the power of God, will retain the fake miracle by the
magicians. For God has more than able
to overcome and confuse His opponents.
By this also remember then Aaron’s was filled with the power of God,
because it was being used to help carry out the Will of God. They would have looked on this swallowing, as a magical
act that signified the absorption of the powers of what was swallowed. Ex. 7: 13 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he
hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. Here we find a very interesting fact about evil
spiritual beings. It says in the Bible that Satan can appear as an angel of
light. It has also made clear in the Bible and in particular the New Testament
that the data possessed can outwardly appear to be normal. For instance the
demon possessed man that was in the synagogue that Jesus visited, was allowed
to be in the building and did not seem to drawing attention to himself until he
started to make a ruckus when Jesus started to read. Cf. Luke Luke makes it clear that a religious building, in
itself, will not keep away demonic spirits! For the man that that had been
cleaned demon was able to come into the synagogue and be among the people there
without drawing undue notice to himself at that time. As far as the word hardening the heart of Pharaoh; it must be remembered that the Pharaoh had already harden his own heart a number of times before this, and so at this point God is giving to Pharaoh what Pharaoh has made it clear that he wants. At Pharaoh repented earlier on, I believe that God would have never hardened Pharaoh’s heart later! The Hebrew word for “hardened” is “qzx chazaq”,
here it is in the Imperfect Mood. The Imperfect Mood in Hebrew, means an
condition which is incomplete. So, it seems that here, God only partway,
“hardened” the heart of Pharaoh! But, we see that as Pharaoh continues to fight again
God, Pharaohs continues to get harder! Cf. Zechariah Romans Many times, Satan (and his demons)
will make a counterfeit Miracle, to try to draw the attention off of a real
Miracle by God! Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:14
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of
light.[RSV];2 Thess.2: 9 Even him, whose
coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that they might be saved. [1]Swanson, J.
1997. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old
Testament) (electronic ed.) . Logos Research Systems, Inc.:
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