The Legends of the Jews, that monumental work by Louis Ginzberg, gives us some fascinating insights. Ginzberg compiles centuries of Jewish tradition to paint a richer picture than we often get from a simple reading of the biblical text.
Take, for instance, the episode with the miracle of the rod. Remember that? Moses and Aaron perform this amazing feat, turning a staff into a serpent. But Pharaoh, instead of being awestruck, digs in his heels even more. Why?
According to Ginzberg's retelling, when Moses and Aaron managed to enter Pharaoh's heavily guarded palace—lions and all!—Pharaoh immediately summoned his own magicians. At their head was none other than Balaam, a figure we know from other parts of the Torah, along with his two sons, Jannes and Jambres. These names, by the way, might sound familiar. The Apostle Paul mentions them in the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:8), highlighting how deeply embedded these figures were in the cultural imagination.
Pharaoh tells them about this "extraordinary incident"—how the lions, normally fierce guardians, had acted like domesticated dogs around Moses and Aaron, even fawning upon them. It's quite a scene!
So, what's Balaam's take? Does he recognize the divine power at play? Not exactly. He dismisses it! In his estimation, Moses and Aaron were just magicians, like him and his sons. Just another magic trick. Balaam's ego gets the best of him. He tells Pharaoh, essentially, "Don't worry, I can handle this. Let's have a magic-off! Egyptians versus Hebrews—who's the better magician?"
Imagine the scene: a royal showdown, a battle of wits and… well, magic. It's a very human moment, isn't it? Pharaoh, desperate to maintain control, relying on what he thinks he understands. Balaam, confident in his own abilities, ready to prove his superiority. And Moses and Aaron, standing firm in their faith, ready to demonstrate the power of Adonai, the Lord.
What does this all tell us? Maybe that even in the face of the miraculous, human pride and the illusion of control can be powerful forces. Maybe that sometimes, we see what we want to see, rather than what's actually there. And maybe that even the most powerful rulers can be misled by those who claim to have all the answers.