Demons and other evil spirits in Exodus

By JOHN CHOPORES

 

In Egypt

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 4:33  Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, 

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 7:12  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

 Romans 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

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.