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the days of Jacob。 The Egyptians thus had an opportunity to become
acquainted with the religion of the Hebrews； but disdaining to be instructed
by their slaves； they tried to seduce the worshipers of God by promises of
reward； and； this failing； by threats and cruelty。
The elders of Israel endeavored to sustain the sinking faith of their
brethren by repeating the promises made to their fathers； and the prophetic
words of Joseph before his death； foretelling their deliverance from Egypt。
Some would listen and believe。 Others； looking at the circumstances that
surrounded them； refused to hope。 The Egyptians； being informed of what was
reported among their bondmen； derided their expectations and scornfully
denied the power of their God。 They pointed to their situation as a nation
of slaves； and tauntingly said； 〃If your God is just and merciful； and
possesses power above that of the Egyptian gods； why does He not make you a
free people？〃 They called attention to their own condition。 They worshiped
deities
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termed by the Israelites false gods； yet they were a rich and powerful
nation。 They declared that their gods had blessed them with prosperity； and
had given them the Israelites as servants； and they gloried in their power
to oppress and destroy the worshipers of Jehovah。 Pharaoh himself boasted
that the God of the Hebrews could not deliver them from his hand。
Words like these destroyed the hopes of many of the Israelites。 The case
appeared to them very much as the Egyptians had represented。 It was true
that they were slaves； and must endure whatever their cruel taskmasters
might choose to inflict。 Their children had been hunted and slain； and their
own lives were a burden。 Yet they were worshiping the God of heaven。 If
Jehovah were indeed above all gods； surely He would not thus leave them in
bondage to idolaters。 But those who were true to God understood that it was
because of Israel's departure from Himbecause of their disposition to
marry with heathen nations； thus being led into idolatrythat the Lord had
permitted them to become bondmen； and they confidently assured their
brethren that He would soon break the yoke of the oppressor。
The Hebrews had expected to obtain their freedom without any special trial
of their faith or any real suffering or hardship。 But they were not yet
prepared for deliverance。 They had little faith in God； and were unwilling
patiently to endure their afflictions until He should see fit to work for
them。 Many were content to remain in bondage rather than meet the
difficulties attending removal to a strange land； and the habits of some had
become so much like those of the Egyptians that they preferred to dwell in
Egypt。 Therefore the Lord did not deliver them by the first manifestation of
His power before Pharaoh。 He overruled events more fully to develop the
tyrannical spirit of the Egyptian king and also to reveal Himself to His
people。 Beholding His justice； His power； and His love； they would choose to
leave Egypt and give themselves to His service。 The task of Moses would have
been much less difficult had not many of the Israelites become so corrupted
that they were unwilling to leave Egypt。
The Lord directed Moses to go again to the people and repeat the promise of
deliverance； with a fresh assurance of divine favor。 He went as he was
commanded； but they would not listen。 Says the Scripture； 〃They hearkened
not 。 。 。 for anguish of spirit； and for cruel bondage。〃 Again the divine
message came to Moses；
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〃Go in； speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt； that he let the children of Israel
go out of his land。〃 In discouragement he replied； 〃Behold； the children of
Israel have not hearkened unto me； how then shall Pharaoh hear me？〃 He was
told to take Aaron with him and go before Pharaoh； and again demand 〃that he
send the children of Israel out of his land。〃
He was informed that the monarch would not yield until God should visit
judgments upon Egypt and bring out Israel by the signal manifestation of His
power。 Before the infliction of each plague； Moses was to describe its
nature and effects； that the king might save himself from it if he chose。
Every punishment rejected would be followed by one more severe； until his
proud heart would be humbled； and he would acknowledge the Maker of heaven
and earth as the true and living God。 The Lord would give the Egyptians an
opportunity to see how vain was the wisdom of their mighty men； how feeble
the power of their gods； when opposed to the commands of Jehovah。 He would
punish the people of Egypt for their idolatry and silence their boasting of
the blessings received from their senseless deities。 God would glorify His
own name； that other nations might hear of His power and tremble at His
mighty acts； and that His people might be led to turn from their idolatry
and render Him pure worship。
Again Moses and Aaron entered the lordly halls of the king of Egypt。 There；
surrounded by lofty columns and glittering adornments； by the rich paintings
and sculptured images of heathen gods； before the monarch of the most
powerful kingdom then in existence； stood the two representatives of the
enslaved race； to repeat the command from God for Israel's release。 The king
demanded a miracle； in evidence of their divine commission。 Moses and Aaron
had been directed how to act in case such a demand should be made； and Aaron
now took the rod and cast it down before Pharaoh。 It became a serpent。 The
monarch sent for his 〃wise men and the sorcerers；〃 who 〃cast down every man
his rod and they became serpents： but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods。〃
Then the king； more determined than before； declared his magicians equal in
power with Moses and Aaron； he denounced the servants of the Lord as
impostors； and felt himself secure in resisting their demands。 Yet while he
despised their message； he was restrained by divine power from doing them
harm。
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It was the hand of God； and no human influence or power possessed by Moses
and Aaron； that wrought the miracles which they showed before Pharaoh。 Those
signs and wonders were designed to convince Pharaoh that the great 〃I AM〃
had sent Moses； and that it was the duty of the king to let Israel go； that
they might serve the living God。 The magicians also showed signs and
wonders； for they wrought not by their own skill alone； but by the power of
their god； Satan； who assisted them in counterfeiting the work of Jehovah。
The magicians did not really cause their rods to become serpents； but by
magic； aided by the great deceiver； they were able to produce this
appearance。 It was beyond the power of Satan to change the rods to living
serpents。 The prince of evil； though possessing all the wisdom and might of
an angel fallen； has not power to create； or to give life； this is the
prerogative of God alone。 But all that was in Satan's power to do； he did；
he produced a counterfeit。 To human sight the rods were changed to serpents。
Such they were believed to be by Pharaoh and his court。 There was nothing in
their appearance to distinguish them from the se