Category: Pharaoh

Possessed with Devils #9

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

As Israel was captive to sin and Satan (pictured by Egypt and Pharaoh), the LORD God commissioned Moses to heal sickness and handle serpents in Exodus chapter 4. Similarly, Father God sent Jesus Christ to redeem Israel yet again—for, the Jewish people had allowed themselves to be contaminated with false religion or devil worship during the 15 centuries between Moses and John the Baptist. Christ therefore healed the sick and cast out devils.

Notice what the Bible remarks about Mary Magdalene. “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils” (Mark 16:9). “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,…” (Luke 8:2). “Mary” in Hebrew is “Miriam,” meaning “rebellious.” She represents sinful Israel, filled with devils to maximum capacity (seven is the Bible’s number of completion). Yet, Jesus Christ (“Anointed Saviour”) cured Mary Magdalene of both her sin-problem (“infirmities”) and her devil-problem (“evil spirits… seven devils”). She represents Israel’s kingdom restoration and glorification in the ages to come.

Observe: “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:23-28; cf. Luke 4:33-37). Father God wants Israel to be cleansed of her spiritual filthiness, so the Lord Jesus works with Him in doing just that….

If Not For the LORD On Our Side #2

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:…” (Psalm 124:2,3 KJV).

Where is true victory for Israel?

Many cross-references should come to mind when pondering today’s Scripture. For example, the nation Israel had been helpless in captivity for centuries before the LORD God used 10 plagues to gradually destroy Egypt. Although Pharaoh reluctantly released the Jewish people, he and his armies pursued them across the Red Sea before the LORD intervened and drowned those Egyptian troops.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea” (Exodus 15:1-4).

Of course, another occasion of miraculous deliverance came when Israel griped about not having potable water in the wilderness. God furnished them with drink from the rock, but enemies arose in an attempt to steal that water. The Amalekites started a war—but God ensured Israel won. “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exodus 17:10-13).

Yet, there is more….

Tokens #7

Friday, June 21, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Going over to Isaiah 44:23-26, we read of a prophecy. It is both short-term (to be fulfilled in the centuries before Christ) and long-term (to be brought to fruition beyond our day). Israel’s redemption and Jerusalem’s restoration are in view.

“[23] Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel. [24] Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; [25] That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; [26] That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:….” In this context, “tokens” (verse 25) evidently refer to the signs or omens that the false prophets foretold—and JEHOVAH God prevents (“frustrates”) their predictions from coming to pass, instead choosing to bless Israel (delivering her from the curses of her transgressions).

When betraying the Lord Jesus, Judas Iscariot had arranged to secretly identify Him before the apostate Jews and unbelieving Roman officials: “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely” (Mark 14:44). The companion verse is Matthew 26:48: “Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast [securely, firmly].” We can gather how “token” and “sign” are used interchangeably here; they are indications or signals.

Though we have read of many “tokens” in the biblical record, several more remain for us to locate and explain….

Tokens #6

Thursday, June 20, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Observe how the following “tokens” in the Bible are prophetic in nature (linking to Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent Kingdom Reign). When engaged in a philosophical discussion with his judgmental “friends,” Job states, “Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath” (Job 21:29,30). These “tokens” are signs, reports, or indications that travelers can provide: wherever they go and wherever they are from, they can testify firsthand how the wicked often do go unpunished in this life, but certainly face punishment in the next! This foresees Christ’s return in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9.

In Psalm 65:8, King David writes of the LORD: “They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.” These “tokens” are signs or indications of God’s power as Creator, having control over the weather—especially the extraordinary atmospheric conditions that will lead up to Christ’s glorious return. Additionally, David prays the following in Psalm 86:17: “Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.” This is believing Israel, the Little Flock of Luke 12:32, asking for the Lord Jesus Christ to come back and deliver them, giving a “token” or sign that He cares for Israel and will indeed save them from their opponents.

Psalm 135:9 looks back to the LORD’S judgments meted out on the Egyptians in the Book of Exodus: “Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.” This psalm recalls the “tokens” or signs or evidences of JEHOVAH God’s superiority to Egypt’s idols. It also anticipates how that same LORD God will be faithful in bringing Israel into kingdom glory when Christ returns!

Amazingly, we have not yet seen all the “tokens” of the Bible….

Tokens #3

Monday, June 17, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Go to Exodus 12:13, where another “token” appears in the Bible. Read the verse in context: “[11] And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. [12] For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. [13] And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. [14] And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” The Passover lambs’ blood was a “token,” representation, or symbol of redeemed Israel—which blood the Egyptians did not have upon their houses. It spared Israel from God’s wrath on Egypt.

As touching the “token” of Israel setting apart their firstborn male animals and firstborn human sons for God’s purposes (corresponding to how the LORD had sanctified Israel, His “firstborn son” nation, from Egypt; cf. Exodus 4:22,23; Hosea 11:1), see Exodus 13:16 in context: “[15] And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix [womb], being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. [16] And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.”

There are still more references to “tokens” in Scripture….

To Spite the LORD! #6

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

The Book of Exodus opens with an extremely intense spiritual battle Satan is waging with the LORD God. It is a complex conflict, abounding with vindictiveness and counterfeits at the beginning, but moving closer and closer to war’s end both the victor and the loser become clearer and clearer to us. There was spite and an imitation might, but only one won in that day and only that one was right. Thousands of years later after this situation, we even now can make a simple application.

If we wish to waste our time and energy being dead in our trespasses and sins, refusing (as lost people) to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour (the Gospel of the Grace of God of 1 Corinthians 15:3,4), or (as Christians) rejecting His life as manifested through grace principles (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon), we have on both counts been given liberty (freedom to choose). Overall, though, it is we who will lose, for we are contributing to our own misery, confusion, dissatisfaction, and spiritual loss.

Indeed, we can copy the life of Christ, but only so far—until reality hits us that we have aligned with fakery. Yea, we can fool ourselves into believing we are invincible, self-sufficient, our own authority, our own god. We can pretend like our false theological system is correct, our “scholarship” is beyond all doubt, and our religious leaders would never lie to us; but we would be just as mistaken as the Egyptians were in Moses’ day. Echoing Pharaoh of old, we can request “one more night with the frogs,” too stubborn to humble ourselves before LORD and too eager to remain in our pathetic lot. The blame falls squarely on us, and us alone.

“Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?” (1 Samuel 6:6).

To Spite the LORD! #5

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

Although the magicians of Egypt twice copied the LORD with the transformation of a rod into a snake, the LORD’S rod ate the magicians’ rods (Exodus 7:10-12). Once the first plague fell because of the LORD, the magicians were able to duplicate it but not reverse it (change the blood back into water); moreover, when their people required potable water, the magicians could not provide (Exodus 7:19-25)! By the time the second plague arrived, the magicians could also produce frogs but could not remove them; only the LORD could take them away (Exodus 8:5-15)!

As touching the third pestilence, the magicians could not copy the lice, but they did admit it was God’s work that could not be overcome (Exodus 8:16-19). According to the record of Scripture, from henceforth, the magicians made no more attempts to intervene—unable to counterfeit and still powerless to reverse anything. They do not appear in the case of flies the fourth judgment (Exodus 8:20-32), or the murrain or infectious disease the fifth punishment (Exodus 9:1-7). Now, the LORD God begins sparing Israel and judges Egypt only (Exodus 9:4). Again, the magicians cannot re-direct the punishment from their own people toward Israel.

With the sixth plague, the magicians show up in the Scriptures: they too are suffering from the blains, boils, or blisters, and cannot stand before Moses (Exodus 9:8-12). Some Egyptians are actually beginning to heed the LORD through Moses at this point (Exodus 9:20). The seventh judgment is hail and fire, reserved for Egyptians and their crops, whereas Israel is safe (Exodus 9:18-26). No magicians could help Pharaoh here either (Exodus 9:27-35)! With the locusts, the eighth plague, only the LORD could take them away (Exodus 10:12-20). By the time of the ninth judgment, the darkness that could be felt, Egypt was afflicted while Israel had light (Exodus 10:21-23). Once God struck Egypt with the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn, the magicians could raise no one from the dead (Exodus 12:29,30).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

To Spite the LORD! #4

Monday, February 26, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

God’s second judgment on Egypt: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt” (Exodus 8:5-7). As with the rods transformed into serpents, and the first plague (blood turned into water), the magicians of Egypt imitated the LORD. Think of all those disgusting frogs overrunning the land (verses 8-14)!

Now, watch carefully as touching the third pestilence: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast” (Exodus 8:16-18). “But they could not!” Verse 19 is especially astounding: “Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.” Perhaps Pharaoh executed these men because of their “blasphemous” admission!

The magicians of Egypt also could not duplicate plagues four through 10—flies, murrain (infectious disease), blains (blisters or boils), hail and fire, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn (chapters 8–12). In fact, “And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians” (Exodus 9:11). Egypt’s religious leaders are unable to save it from the LORD’S unmitigated fury….

To Spite the LORD! #3

Sunday, February 25, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

Egypt’s magicians used occultic (satanic) power to prove they could match the LORD God. “See, Moses and Aaron, our deities are equally mighty. Whatever your ‘God’ can do, they can do and even outdo!” This is actually not as clever as it first appears. For example, re-read Exodus 7:10-12 (today’s Scripture): “And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”

Initially, it really looked like the God of Israel was inferior to whatever or whomever Egypt was worshipping. At least two snakes were produced to contend with the LORD’S solitary serpent. However, the LORD’S rod ate the Egyptians’ rods—but Pharaoh and his servants were unimpressed, so Israel was not freed. Once the first plague was meted out, Egypt’s bodies of water—streams, rivers, ponds, pools, and so on—were blood. Water, especially the Nile River (Egypt’s primary water source), had been worshipped as a god. Now, it was contaminated because of the LORD God.

“And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river” (Exodus 7:21-24).

The magicians added to their people’s misery with water so filthy and odors so foul….

To Spite the LORD! #2

Saturday, February 24, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

Pharaoh and the other Egyptians viewed themselves as superior to the Israelites. After all, the Jews were their slaves, and Pharaoh himself was believed to be the Egyptian god Horus reincarnated in human flesh. Who were Moses and Aaron compared to this mighty king of Egypt? Who was this “LORD God of Israel” who challenged his authority? With a heart lifted up with pride, the king of Egypt was not the least bit intimidated. “As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?” (Exodus 9:17). “And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day” (Nehemiah 9:10).

The king of Egypt and his magicians were drawing on Satan’s power (see today’s Scripture). Since they had given themselves over to the Devil, to do his work and entertain his thoughts, they were not about to hearken to the LORD God who was confronting them through Moses and Aaron. These Egyptian magicians were never identified in the Book of Exodus, but, as per the biblical principle of subsequent narrative, the Holy Spirit reveals their names through Paul: “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was” (2 Timothy 3:8,9).

In short, the ministry of Pharaoh’s magicians consisted of nothing more than counterfeiting the LORD’S work (re-read Exodus 7:10-12,19-22; Exodus 8:5-7). Actually, whereas Aaron’s rod resulted in one snake, the magicians seemed to outdo him by producing two! It appeared as though the LORD God was less than powerful than the gods of Egypt, right? The magicians copied the LORD, but they were still limited.

By “spiting the LORD,” they were inflicting injury only upon themselves….