Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:8-9)

Jannes And Jambres

The apostle Paul was facing death as he wrote to Timothy. It is a stirring letter of admonition and encouragement. He exhorts Timothy to be a good example to others as a minister of the gospel. The work of preaching was a difficult task in a world hostile to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Paul warns Timothy there are dangers among the brethren of those who would cause shipwreck the faith of the saints. The world opposes the teachings of Christ, but there are also men in the church who will resist the truth. Paul reminds Timothy of Jannes and Jambres and how they opposed Moses.

Nothing in scripture is known of Jannes and Jambres. Paul is the only writer who refers to an incident these men had with Moses. A commonly held view is Jannes and Jambres were part of the magicians of Pharaoh that stood against Moses and Aaron. Biblically, this story would fit the scenario. The Hebrew language suggests the names are of Egyptian origin. Whether they were individuals that withstood Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, some important things are known of them.

Moses was the leader, lawgiver, and prophet of Israel. He was the spokesman and servant of the Lord. Resisting Moses is tantamount to resisting God. Jannes and Jambres were men who opposed God. Their hearts were not devoted to the Lord God. The motives of the men were selfish. Whatever occasions presented themselves in the work of Moses, these two men were adversaries of the purpose and will of God. These men opposed and resisted the truth. There was only one truth, and that was the word of God. Jannes and Jambres would not follow the one true way and life. The minds of Jannes and Jambres were corrupt and depraved. Their faith was a counterfeit belief without God. They opposed Moses and the will of God. In their actions, they sought to destroy what God had established. They failed.

Truth is older than error. Those who oppose truth will fail in time. The folly of unrighteousness becomes apparent over time, and whatever Jambres and Jannes did to resist the work of the Lord, their actions proceeded no further. Truth is always victorious. There will be times of evil that will wax worse and worse among men, but after some time, unrighteousness will come to naught. It will end, and God’s word will reign supremely. Nothing can overshadow the light of God. Jannes and Jambres tried and failed miserably.

The other characteristic of the folly of Jannes and Jambres is how their evil works are manifest to others. Everyone will see how foolish they are to oppose the will of the Father. Pharaoh resisted the word of God and was made a fool. He attempted to destroy the people of God with his army and was defeated soundly. The Philistines sent their greatest champion, Goliath, against the army of God, and a young boy named David defeated him. Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome stood against the kingdom of God and now inhabit the dust bowl of history. Persecution never destroyed the church but made it stronger. Through the centuries, critics of the Bible have sworn the destruction and annihilation of God’s word. They are forgotten; the word of the Lord endures.

Jannes and Jambres are mentioned once in scripture and left in the empty memories of time. They were probably great men of their day, wielding influence and power. Wherever they are buried, they are forgotten. History does not know them. Their story is dead. Opposing God makes one a fool. Moses has been remembered for thousands of years and will continually be mentioned and written about until the Lord comes. You have a name. Will your name be like Jannes and Jambres – whoever they are? Or will you join the ranks of the faithful and have your name inscribed in the Book of Life to be remembered by the Lord God Almighty? It depends on whether you accept the will of God or oppose it. You decide.