Matthew Henry Commentary Exodus 7:8-13

"And Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a wonder for you; then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers: and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron`s rod swallowed up their rods. And Pharaoh`s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as Jehovah had spoken." — Exodus 7:8-13 (ASV)

What men dislike, because it opposes their pride and lusts, they will not be convinced of; but it is easy to cause them to believe things they wish to be true. God always sends with his word full proofs of its Divine authority; but when men are bent to disobey, and willing to object, he often permits a snare to be laid in which they are entangled.

The magicians were cheats, trying to copy the real miracles of Moses by secret tricks or deceptions, which to a small extent they succeeded in doing, so as to deceive the bystanders, but they were finally obliged to confess they could no longer imitate the effects of Divine power. None assist more in the destruction of sinners than those who resist the truth by amusing men with a counterfeit resemblance of it. Satan is most to be dreaded when transformed into an angel of light.