Aaron’s Rod

The Story

Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh, the most powerful man in the world, with a message from God: let My people go.

God had told them Pharaoh would ask for a miracle. So when he did, Aaron threw his shepherd’s rod down on the floor of the palace, and it became a serpent.

Pharaoh wasn’t impressed. He called in his wise men and sorcerers, the magicians of Egypt, and they did the same thing with their secret arts. Each one threw down his rod, and each one became a serpent. Now the floor of Pharaoh’s court was full of snakes, and it looked like a tie.

Then Aaron’s rod swallowed up all of theirs.

Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he still refused to listen. The long contest between the God of Israel and the gods of Egypt was only beginning. But in that first moment, God showed who was stronger. The magicians could copy a miracle. They couldn’t survive one.

Reflection