Overcoming Power

UV 1794/10000 Overcoming Power

For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods
Exodus 7 v 12

The serpent that Aaron’s rod turned into swallowed the serpents of the magicians of Pharaoh. This is a symbol that the forces of good or the grace of God will enable us to overcome the evils in this world. The rods of the magicians were numerous but could do no damage or harm to the rod of Aaron. We are called to overcome evil with good as Christ overcame evil. Later on we learn of Aaron’s rod budding and bearing almonds in the tent of the Tabernacle. This is a symbol that in our lifetime, we should not only overcome evil with good but that we should be spiritually fruitful. The tail of the rod of Moses became the head symbolising that our tails are more powerful than their heads. The rod of Aaron in today’s context are the prayers of a faithful and anointed person. Our prayers will lead to the victory of good over evil. It is also a sign that acting in obedience to God’s word in faith will give rise to signs, wonders, miracles and ultimate triumph. Pharoah represented near absolute power on earth. He was raised up as such a super power and Moses was lifted up to challenge and defeat the will and word of Pharaoh to show mankind that no power on earth is a match for the sovereign power of the Lord.

The rod of Aaron overcoming or swallowing the rods of the Egyptians is also a symbol of our fears, curses and limitations being overcome by our faith. Our thoughts and words should not give room to the enemy of our souls. We should not confess 0r admit negativity by our thoughts or words. We have the power to crush the head of the serpent under our heels. It is apt to note that the serpent symbol adorned the head dress of Pharaoh. It was a royal symbol of the power of ancient Egypt that inspired fear and awe in the people. The enemy rules through fear while the Lord rules through love and willing submission of the faithful.

In the same manner that Aaron cast down his rod in the name of Jehovah, the Almighty One, we need to cast down our burdens, fears, doubts, suspicions, guilt, worries, problems, challenges. We cast it down at the feet of Jesus. We also cast down our crowns or the glory for our victories at the feet of Jesus. Jesus crushed the head of the serpent of death under His heel and is alive today. Good had overcome evil. Over His earthly lifetime, Jesus proved by His words, His example, His sovereign power over nature, His miracles and authority over the unseen realm, His death and resurrection and the evidence of many contemporary, truthful and unmotivated witnesses that not only He is good but that He is God. The bronze staff with a raised serpent coiled around it is again a metaphor that Jesus was raised or lifted on the cross and as He took our place as the very embodiment of sin or the serpent and embraced death on our behalf so that all who look to the cross with faith are saved from sin and its consequences, from ultimate defeat, hamartia or shortcoming. God saw the gap between man and Him and filled it with the agape love through Jesus.

Prateep V Philip