Yes — Les Feldick teaches that Pharaoh's stubborn resistance to releasing Israel pictures Satan's determination to keep people in bondage today.
In the Exodus account, Pharaoh did everything he could to keep Israel under his control, even after plagues gave him reason to let them go. Les tells his audience to keep that in mind and asks who in the spiritual realm does the same thing — the answer is Satan. He also emphasizes that Satan still has real power, as seen when the Egyptian magicians counterfeited Aaron's serpent miracle.
Exodus 5:4-5 — Pharaoh's reply to Moses shows his determination not to release Israel from their burdens, which Les uses to introduce the parallel with Satan.
Exodus 7:10-12 — Aaron's serpent miracle and the magicians' counterfeit expose the supernatural battle behind Pharaoh's court.
When Moses and Aaron first confronted Pharaoh, the king of Egypt answered them, “Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.” Pharaoh regarded Israel as his labor force and would not let them go. Later, Aaron cast down his rod, and it became a serpent. Pharaoh then called his wise men and sorcerers, and the magicians of Egypt did the same thing with their enchantments. Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods, demonstrating that God's power was greater, yet Pharaoh remained obstinate and refused to release Israel.
Les Feldick tells his audience to keep one thing uppermost in mind when reading the Exodus account: Pharaoh did everything he could to make sure he did not lose the children of Israel as his captives. Then he asks, 'When we come into the spiritual realm, who also is going to do everything he can to keep from losing his captives? Satan.' So the stubborn resistance of Pharaoh pictures the way Satan works to keep people from obeying God completely. Les also observes that after every plague Moses gave Pharaoh a chance to let Israel go, but Pharaoh chose his own direction and said no, and each refusal made the next one easier. On top of that, the Egyptian magicians counterfeited Aaron's serpent miracle through Satan's power, showing that Satan has real supernatural power today. In our own time, Les sees people being programmed by ungodly influences, while God's standards have not changed.
In Exodus 5, Pharaoh responded to Moses and Aaron by telling them to get back to their burdens, and he made the people continue their work. Les says what Pharaoh was making sure of, as much as he could, was that he did not lose these captives. In the spiritual realm, Les explains, the one who does everything he can to keep from losing his captives is Satan. That is the core of the parallel.
When Aaron threw down his rod and it became a serpent, Pharaoh called his wise men, sorcerers, and magicians, and they did the same thing. Les points out that they did not do this with God's power — they drew their power from the powers of Satan. He also reminds listeners that the story doesn't end there: Aaron's serpent swallowed up the serpents of the Egyptians, showing that God's power is superior.
Les applies the Pharaoh account to present-day life in several ways. First, when a person is brought to the point of deciding for or against God and says no, the next time it is easier to say no than it was before — just as Pharaoh's refusals built on one another. Second, Les warns not to sell Satan short, because Satan still has his power and is active in the world, especially in spiritually dark places. Third, Les says God's standards have never changed, and he is alarmed at the way children today are being programmed through ungodly lyrics and cultural influences.
Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts
We just teach the Word as we see it, and we trust you'll be blessed by it. All right, now for those of you here in the studio audience, I'd like to have you I said chapter 12, I think, but let's go back for just a moment to chapter 10, because the last time we were together, we had more or less gotten to the place where Pharaoh was obstinately refusing to let the children of Israel go, and God wou…
Pharaoh's Determination and Satan's Parallel
Les tells the audience to keep in mind that Pharaoh did everything he could to keep Israel as captives, then asks who does the same in the spiritual realm — the answer is Satan.
Hardening Through Repeated Refusals
Les says after each plague Pharaoh had a chance to let Israel go, but chose not to; when people say no to God, it becomes easier to say no the next time.
Satan's Real Power Behind the Magicians
The Egyptian magicians used Satan's power to reproduce Aaron's miracle, and Les warns that Satan has not given up any of his power.
Satanic Counterfeit in Pharaoh's Court
Les reminds listeners that Pharaoh's magicians turned rods into serpents through the power of Satan.
Sorcerers Who Drew from Satanic Power
Les specifically says Egypt's magicians and sorcerers drew their power from the powers of Satan.
Why God Chooses the Weak: Lessons from Moses and the Cross
He does not feel that he can approach Pharaoh. And after 40 years, I think we can all identify with that. He had lost his polish, which he, of course, had when he went out to deliver the children of Israel the first time, and they rejected him. He had been 40 years in Pharaoh's palace. No doubt he had all the wisdom of Egypt at his disposal.
Modern Programming and God's Unchanging Standards
Les says God's standards have not changed, and he sees people being programmed today through ungodly lyrics and influences.
Exodus 5:4: And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
Pharaoh's harsh response shows his priority was keeping Israel working for him, not letting them go to worship.
Exodus 5:5: And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
Pharaoh viewed Israel as numerous and under his burden, reflecting his determination to keep them.
Exodus 7:10: And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Aaron's rod became a serpent before Pharaoh, the miracle that set up the confrontation with the magicians.
Exodus 7:11: Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
Pharaoh's magicians duplicated the sign, and Les identifies the power behind it as Satanic.
Exodus 7:12: For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
Aaron's rod swallowed the magicians' rods, showing God's power is superior to Satan's.
Pharaoh did not. Les notes that after every plague Moses went back and asked if Pharaoh was ready to let the Jews go, and Pharaoh said, "I'll not let them go." His refusals only got harder.
Les teaches that they drew their power from Satan, so they were able to duplicate Aaron's serpent miracle. It was genuine supernatural power, but not from God.
Pharaoh did all he could to keep Israel as captives, and Les says Satan does the same in the spiritual realm — he will do anything to keep from losing one of his captives.
Yes. Les warns not to sell Satan short, saying he hasn't given up any of his power. He points to examples of witch doctors and occult practices in spiritually dark parts of the world.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts