What followed has to be the greatest display of magical power in history. Each event is prefaced by a request to free the Hebrews, and followed with an agreement by Pharaoh to allow it, which he immediately recants. Every body of water in Egypt was turned to blood and millions of frogs come out of them. All the dust became lice, followed by flies covering the entirety of Egypt. Still refusing to free the Hebrews, Pharaoh saw all the domestic animals of the Egyptian's die, all the Egyptians plagued by boils, a deadly hail mixed with fire that flattened every plant and tree in the land, and locust that consumed everything that was left and covered every inch of ground in Egypt. A darkness then enveloped the land that was so thick, nobody could see to move for three days, and finally the firstborn of Pharaoh and every Egyptian family died before the horrific plagues finally stopped and Pharaoh let the Hebrews go. After the devastation that fell on both him and the nation of Egypt, Pharaoh certainly had every reason to know that he was in real danger by pushing the issue any further. Yet, he goes after the Hebrews anyway, which cost him his life, and that of the entire Egyptian army.

During this whole event it can be seen that God is orchestrating the entire scenario on both sides. Why would God, who sent Moses to Pharaoh to free the Hebrews, make it difficult for that to happen? There is no indication that evil is associated with any power exhibited by the Pharaoh's magicians, and it seems that God is making a point that his power is stronger; not fighting an evil power. Just two statements from God show that, indeed, this is a display of power meant to impress the power of God, not just on the Egyptians, but the entire world.

"And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." (Exodus 9:16)

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the Lord." (Exodus10:1-2)

Is Magic Evil

The word "magic" does not actually appear in scripture, but the words magician and magicians do, and the word they are translated from is the Hebrew word 'chartom', pronounced khar-tome',and means; a horoscopist; not one who practices magic. The words "sorcery, sorcerers, and sorceries” appear only twelve times in the Bible, and in all verses it means to practice magic. The word sorcerer appears twice, and has the same meaning as that word used for the wise men who visited Jesus at his birth; oriental scientists. The word sorceress appears once and means "to act covertly", not practice magic. Also, in some places where the word sorcerers appear they are associated directly with wise men, horoscopists, and astrologers.

Added to this, the "sin" of being a sorcerer is put in the same category as adulterers, idolaters, liars, and greedy people who pay low wages and do not show compassion for widows, orphans, or strangers. Of course, what magic was 2000 to 5000 years ago was different from how it is considered today. And, considering the infrequent times words associated with magic are used, it was not a major evil, in either the Old or New Testaments. In other words, it is condemned, but generally considered a common sin along with lying and greed