Adventist Podcast Network

God vs. gods

Read Exodus 7:8-15. What lessons are here in this first confrontation between the God of the Hebrews and the gods of Egypt?

The upcoming battles were going to be between the living God and the Egyptian "gods." What made things worse was that Pharaoh considered himself to be one of those gods. The Lord did not fight against the Egyptians, or even Egypt per se, but against their deities (the Egyptians venerated more than 1,500 gods and goddesses). The biblical text is explicit: "On all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD" (Exod. 12:12, ESV). Later, it is once again emphasized, this time when Israel’s journey from Egypt was recounted: "The LORD had brought judgment on their gods" (Num. 33:4, NIV).

An example of this judgment on their gods was well demonstrated by the miracle of the rod turning into a serpent (Exod. 7:9-12). In Egypt, the Uraeus goddess Wadjet was personified by a cobra and represented sovereign power over Lower Egypt. The symbol of a cobra appeared in Pharaoh’s crown, a sign of his power, deity, royalty, and divine authority because this goddess would spit venom at his enemies. The Egyptians also believed that the sacred serpent would guide the Pharaoh to his afterlife.

When Aaron’s staff became a snake and ate all the other serpents before the king, the supremacy of the living God over Egyptian magic and sorcery was manifested. The emblem of Pharaoh’s might was not only conquered, but Aaron and Moses clutched it in their hands (Exod. 7:12-15). The initial confrontation demonstrated God’s power and lordship over Egypt. Moses, as God’s representative, had greater authority and power than did the "god" Pharaoh himself.

It is also significant that the ancient Egyptians considered a snake god, Nehebkau ("he who harnesses the spirits"), to be sacred, adored, and worshiped. According to their mythology, this serpent god had great power because he swallowed seven cobras. Thus, God communicated to the Egyptians that He, not the serpent god, has sovereign power and authority. After such a powerful confrontation, they were able to understand this message immediately and distinctly.

How can we allow the Lord to have sovereignty over any of the "gods" seeking supremacy in our lives?

Sermon Title: Our Identity

Speaker: Dr. Joaquim Azevedo

Date: July 19, 2025

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Join Miguel Mendez and Joey Oh for the lesson study this week.

Sermon given by Joshua O'Donnell on July 19, 2025 at the Cape Cod Seventh-day Adventist Church in Osterville, MA.

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