Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (II Timothy 3:8-9 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Don’t Be Fooled
If it were not for the Book of Timothy, we would not know for certain the names of the two magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.
But we know from the book of Exodus that they were clever men. They were professional showmen. They knew how to work physics, illusions, and the audience.
Apparently, other clever men tried deception during Timothy and Paul’s time. We do not know their names, but we can assume that they were as clever, professional, and manipulative as Jannes and Jambres.
But Paul tells Timothy to relax. Lies, deception, and manipulation always fall before the power of Jesus’ truth.
We face clever lies, too. Our society seems beset by Jannesi and Jambresi. And that can be discouraging. But like Timothy, we can relax. Paul assures us, too, that the truth will win.
It starts with the powerful truths of the gospel. And it ends with those same truths. Nothing else really matters.
Fear not, then don’t be fooled.