Mensa Otabil - Rod Turns to Serpent
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We are back to the book of Exodus as we track the story of Israel’s deliverance: Moses and Aaron on one side and Pharaoh on the other. So far, it has been God speaking to Moses; Moses is going to talk to the leaders of Israel, and Moses is going to talk to Pharaoh. The people of Israel are speaking against Moses, so it’s just been a war of words. Now the action is about to begin.
Exodus chapter 7, verse 10: So Moses and Aaron went into Pharaoh, and they did so just as the Lord commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. If you notice, the rod of Moses and the rod of Aaron are used interchangeably, so it’s likely that there are different rods, but it’s also likely that it is the same rod, sometimes used by Aaron and sometimes used by Moses. Whether it was Aaron or Moses using it, it was the same rod that God had commissioned Moses to use. Moses goes to meet Pharaoh, and the Bible says that he did it as the Lord commanded.
When you enter into spiritual warfare, you better obey God. You must stick to God’s plan, direction, and directives. If you presume to do things your own way, by your own will, you will be overwhelmed by the adversary. There is absolute obedience when we are in spiritual warfare, and that is what is happening. Spiritual warfare requires Moses to follow God’s pattern, blueprint, instruction, and order.
Now, the sign of turning the rod into a snake, or into a serpent, serves two purposes. First, it was a sign that God gave to Moses to validate his calling. God says, «This is the sign I’m giving you to show you that I have called and commissioned you; it shows that I am with you.» Secondly, it is a sign that God gave to Moses to validate himself before Pharaoh, who, as a king used to all kinds of supernatural activity, was going to ask for Moses’s credentials. God instructed Moses that when he is asked for credentials, he must show this miracle. It may not work much, but it will indicate that he is a man authorized to do God’s works.
So, this is what it is all аbout: a showtime presentation of credentials to see whether Moses has the authority to do the things that God says he should do. Moses and Aaron were very careful to present their credentials and authority to Pharaoh, who had to assess whether this man was worth dealing with or talking about. This miracle is meant to demonstrate that Moses has the authorization to stand before Pharaoh and deal with him.
The Bible states that the rod became a serpent right before Pharaoh and his servants. The Hebrew word used for serpent here refers to a larger animal or bigger snake than what Moses saw at Mount Horeb, suggesting that God amplified what he said he would do for Moses. The important thing is that God validated Moses before Pharaoh, showing, «This is my approved servant, and he has my authorization to engage in this warfare.»
That’s what this first miracle is about. Wherever God sends you, may He give you validation, approval, and authorization. When you stand, may people know that you are truly a man of God, a woman of God, a person sent from the Lord.
Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, You are the one who validates me. Show Your power through me to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.»
We will follow this story tomorrow, and I’ll catch you again. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.