The Bible tells us that when Moses and Aaron first went before Pharaoh to demand that he let the Israelites go, Pharaoh summoned his court magicians and sorcerers to match some of the miracles performed by God through Moses and Aaron (Exodus 7:11). How were Pharaoh’s magicians able to turn staffs into snakes, turn water into blood, and bring up frogs from the rivers just as Moses and Aaron did?
There are a few possible explanations:
1. Sleight of hand and illusion
It’s possible that what Pharaoh’s magicians did was merely skilled illusions and tricks to mimic some of the miracles. Turning a staff into a snake could have been done through sleight of hand by substituting a real snake for the staff. The water-to-blood illusion could have been achieved through chemicals and dyes that temporarily made water look red. The frog trick may have involved capturing and hiding frogs to release on cue. While this may explain some of the earlier miracles, sleight of hand likely does not account for the later plagues like boils and hail.
2. Demonic powers
Another view is that Pharaoh’s magicians did not perform illusions, but rather achieved their signs through demonic powers and magic arts. Scripture indicates that sorcery and magic exist in the world through the influence of demonic spirits (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Revelation 9:21). Throughout history, demonic forces have worked through sorcerers and magicians to perform signs and wonders in order to deceive people (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). It’s possible the magicians’ signs were empowered by demonic spirits to mimic God’s miracles.
3. God’s permission
A third perspective is that God Himself allowed the magicians to perform their signs within certain limits in order to demonstrate His superiority over any supposed powers they had. This view holds that the magicians had no real power of their own, but God permitted them to turn staffs into snakes, turn water to blood, etc, up to a certain point, before their abilities ran out.
This is supported by Exodus 8:18-19, where the magicians tried to bring up gnats from the dust but could not. They said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” Their admission implies they recognized they were previously enabled to match Moses’ miracles only because God had allowed it, but now they could go no further.
God possibly allowed the Egyptian magicians a limited degree of miraculous signs in order to:
- Expose the inadequacy and inferiority of their power versus His power.
- Force Pharaoh and Egypt to be accountable for not believing despite seeing God’s unmatched power.
- Strengthen Moses and the Israelites’ faith by proving God’s superiority over any other power.
Regardless of how the magicians were able to perform their signs, the fact that they eventually reached their limit shows they operated only within what God permitted, for a purpose. He is sovereign over all powers and authorities.
Further Examination of the Biblical Accounts
Looking closer at the biblical narrative, we see several key details that provide insight into this topic:
1. The magicians mimicked Moses and Aaron’s miracles only up to a point
They were able to mimic some of the earlier signs like the staffs becoming snakes (Exodus 7:11-12), the water turning to blood (Exodus 7:22), and calling up frogs from the water (Exodus 8:7). However, the magicians were unable to replicate the later miracles of gnats (Exodus 8:18), flies (Exodus 8:24), livestock disease (Exodus 9:9), boils (Exodus 9:11), hail (Exodus 9:23), locusts (Exodus 10:14), or darkness (Exodus 10:22). This selective mimicking shows the magicians’ powers had clear limits and paled in comparison to God’s unlimited ability.
2. The magicians recognized a supernatural power was at work through Moses
After failing to mimic Moses’ miracle involving gnats, the magicians acknowledged to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). Though they had resisted the previous signs, they now realized a power greater than theirs was enabling Moses. This admission rules out the possibility they believed Moses was simply using tricks or illusions.
3. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened to not heed the signs
Despite witnessing Moses’ far greater miracles, Pharaoh continued resisting. Scripture states repeatedly his heart was hard (Exodus 7:13; 22; 8:15; 32; 9:7; 34-35). This shows that allowing the magicians limited signs had the purpose of exposing Pharaoh’s unbelief and stubbornness in the face of clear evidence of God’s power.
4. The plagues progressively increased in severity
The ten plagues God sent through Moses were ordered and escalating in severity, culminating in the death of the firstborn. This demonstrates an intentional controlled unveiling of God’s might and sovereignty over Egypt’s gods and natural realm – not random miraculous displays. It accentuated God’s purposeful supremacy.
In summary, a close look at the biblical narrative provides clues that God deliberately allowed Pharaoh’s magicians limited miraculous powers in order to:
- Expose the inadequacy of their magic arts versus His omnipotence.
- Force Pharaoh to account for rejecting God’s far greater deeds.
- Strengthen Moses and Israel’s faith through an escalating display of God’s unmatched abilities.
The magicians’ counterfeit miracles did not derail God’s purposes, but rather served them by highlighting His superiority, setting up the Egyptians’ accountability, and revealing the stubbornness of Pharaoh’s heart.
The Nature and Source of the Magicians’ Powers
Assuming the magicians did not simply perform illusions, but rather accomplished supernatural feats, scholars offer several theories on the source and nature of their powers:
Demonic Spirits
Many Bible scholars believe the Egyptian magicians’ signs and wonders came through demonic spirits. Scripture makes clear that:
- Demons manifest supernatural powers that mimic God’s abilities (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
- God condemns magic, sorcery, mediums and necromancy because the power behind them is demonic (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
- Pagan religions are associated with the demonic realm (1 Corinthians 10:20).
- Egypt had a robust religious system rooted in magic arts and demonic forces (Genesis 41:8).
The book of Jannes and Jambres, an apocryphal text referring to two of Pharaoh’s magicians according to tradition, indicates they performed their signs through demonic incantations and spells.
Occult Practices
Some also propose that Egypt’s magicians relied on various occult arts to accomplish their feats. Occult magic often employs:
- Incantations and spells to manipulate spiritual forces.
- Astrology to forecast events and leverage cosmic powers.
- Divination and mysticism to gain hidden knowledge.
- Use of charms, amulets and rituals to manipulate the supernatural.
These occult practices were common in ancient false religions and may explain the magicians’ temporary powers.
Secret Knowledge
A third view holds that the Egyptian priests and magicians had access to secret knowledge of how to manipulate nature and matter through human arts. This esoteric wisdom may have enabled them to mix chemicals, use herbs, apply snake charming techniques, harness natural energies, and perform wonders by means beyond common understanding.
Proponents of this view hold that the magicians drew on advanced human knowledge, not supernatural powers, though their abilities were still limited.
God’s Divine Permission
As discussed earlier, the magicians themselves recognized a power beyond their own was enabling them for a time, until they reached their limits (Exodus 8:19). This strongly indicates that ultimately, God granted them temporary power to accomplish His purposes, overriding any occult sources.
Just as Satan had to obtain God’s permission to afflict Job (Job 1:12; 2:6), it appears the Egyptian sorcerers could do only what God allowed, and no more. Their miraculous powers, regardless of immediate source, originated in what God authorized in order to bring Himself glory.
Lessons for Followers of God Today
The example of Pharaoh’s magicians contains important lessons for believers facing supernatural manifestations of evil today:
1. False miracles do not disprove God’s power
Just as the Egyptian magicians counterfeiting some of Moses’ miracles did not negate God’s true miraculous works, magicians and false prophets today mimicking miracles through illusion or demonic power do not undermine the reality of God’s existence and acts.
2. God limits the enemy’s power
Satan and his forces can only operate within the boundaries that God allows, as Job 1-2 illustrates. God may permit adversaries limited supernatural ability, but only to ultimately demonstrate His superior might and glory.
3. Trust God’s purposes in contests of power
During spiritual battles with demonic forces, believers must trust God is still sovereign and able to confound the enemy’s temporary boasts of power, just as He did through Moses. God oversees all rival displays of power to accomplish His will.
4. Resist deception; test the spirits
Christians must test miracles and spiritual claims against Scripture to avoid deception (1 John 4:1). Satan masquerades as an angel of light by imitating God’s works through counterfeit miracles (2 Corinthians 11:14). Believers must exercise spiritual discernment.
5. Occult magic is forbidden
Followers of Christ must completely avoid all occult practices, which displease God and open the door to demonic oppression. They must rely on God’s power alone and His pure wisdom, not secret arts.
Above all, the example of Pharaoh’s magicians reminds believers that God reigns supreme over all supernatural and natural forces. Just as the Egyptian sorcerers had to finally confess, “This is the finger of God,” God’s people today can have confidence that He is sovereign over all contending spiritual powers.
