Spiritual warfare

Moses concluded by saying, ‘All you r officials will come to me and bow down before me, and they will beg me to take all my people and go away. After that, I will leave.’ Then in great anger Moses left the king.

The LORD had said to Moses, ‘The king will continue to refuse to listen to you, in order that I may do more of my miracles in Egypt.’ Moses and Aaron performed all these miracles before the king, but the LORD made him stubborn, and he would not let the Israelites leave his country.
(verses 8-10)

Read Exodus 10:21 – 11:10

Pharaoh’s stubbornness has caused his people many problems. His people have suffered everything from irritations to inconvenience to severe losses. But these are nothing compared to what is to happen. Once again, one man’s stubbornness is going to cost many people dearly.

But it’s not just a man’s stubbornness. To the Egyptians, the Pharaoh is a god. His magicians have been able to emulate many of the things God has done through Moses and Aaron. Now the final battle of the war, the war between God and the gods, is about to begin.

This is just like the final battle between God and Satan that was fought on the cross—and was won by Jesus. On the cross Jesus smashed the hold Satan had over us, just as Pharaoh was about to be hit with something neither he nor his magicians could tum around. Pharaoh even now didn’t give up easily—and nor does Satan. He still tries to con us that he is winning and that he can control us—if we let him. But thanks be to God, for the victory is ours, in Jesus.

I thank you, Father, that you have, in Jesus, given me the victory. Help me always to remember that Satan has no power over me unless I give it to him. Amen.

by Robert Turnbull, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

Visit the Daily Devotion archives page.