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No King But Caesar?

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In the Book of Exodus 7:10-12 Moses records the following: So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the Lord had commanded; Aaron threw down his rod before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent.11 Then Pharaoh called for the wise men [skilled in magic and divination] and the sorcerers (wizards and jugglers). And they also, these magicians of Egypt, did similar things with their enchantments and secret arts.12 For they cast down every man his rod and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. Interestingly enough in Exodus 3 Moses’ shepherds rod becomes a serpent. When taking the account regarding Aaron, Pharaohs magicians, and the showdown of the serpent rods one could deduce that the “King Snake” swallowed up all the other snakes. Also, you must add that the Shepherd became a King – this is true regarding Moses and Jesus.

I was curious about the etymology of our English word king and wondered where it all derived. The online etymology dictionary provides the following: a late Old English contraction of cyning “king, ruler” (also used as a title), from Proto-Germanic *kuningaz (source also of Dutch koning, Old Norse konungr, Danish konge, Old Saxon and Old High German kuning, Middle High German künic, German König). It proceeds to state that the word implied a leader of the people, noble birth, a chief, or ruler.

What I found interesting was the late Old English contraction cyning. When I seek to sound it out at first it sounds like I am saying, sinning. Which calls us back to the accounts in Exodus 3, and 7. Were you aware that Pharaoh wore a headdress which bore the symbol of a cobra? Incidentally you will see that symbol on King Tuts burial mask. The cobra symbol is called the uraeus, which is an upright or rearing cobra. It derives from the worship of the goddess Widget – the patroness and protector of the Nile Delta and all of Lower Egypt. Uraeus was a symbol of royalty, divine authority, and sovereignty. Pharaohs wore the uraeus as part of their crown, and it was often depicted with a golden sun-disk on top. The pharaohs thought they were gods and it was only fitting that their “priests” were able to perform supernatural feats.

What many Christians and Jews fail to realize is that Moses and Aaron were sent by God for a showdown with the “so-called” gods of Egypt, and to force all of these idols to bow before the feet of the True Shepherd-King – Jesus! It’s interesting to note that even in Herod’s day (1445 years from the reign of Pharaoh) it was a crime, (whose punishment was immediate death) to say you were a king – as there was no king except Caesar. Which sadly during Jesus’ trial before Pilate the chief priests stated, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). (The chief priests would not even acknowledge that only God was their King).

In 2025 you need to ask are you “cyning“ “making anything other than Jesus your Leader, King, Ruler, or Chief? Jesus is the King Snake who has come to swallow up all other so-called gods, or rulers and He rewards those who make that distinction with a crown of their own. But His crown will not have the depiction of the serpent, satan. No, Jesus’ crown, will only fit on the heads of those who have made Jesus their Crown. In 2025 why not surrender and bow your thoughts and actions to the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords? Will He be your King? Will you allow Him to swallow up all that has ruled your life?

Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Dhuit!

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Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth.2 The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters.3 And God said, Let there be light; and there was light.

At the beginning of the first books of the Bible there was a beginning. The title of this first book of the Bible originates from the Greek word “ginomai” which means to begin to be, or begin to be in a certain state or condition. It’s often used to mean to be born, but also to become something, start bearing fruit or the coming about of day or night. It may be used to mean to cause to begin, and thus to create or to perform, or even simply as to happen or to occur. (Abarim Publications, Etymology of Genesis) There was darkness but God spoke Light into existence and there was Light!

In the middle of the Bible, at the beginning of the dawning of a New Covenant – there was a New Beginning. There was still darkness, but God let there be Light and let there be His Word. His Word and His Light was there at the beginning and the middle. John 1:1-5 In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.2 He was present originally with God.3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.4 In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men.5 And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].

At the end of the Bible there was the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning, the Middle and the Ending. There was no more darkness only the Word, the Light, and the Living Water. Revelation 21:5-6,22-25 And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).6 And He [further] said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I [Myself] will give water without price from the fountain (springs) of the water of Life….I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Omnipotent [Himself] and the Lamb [Himself] are its temple.23 And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the splendor and radiance (glory) of God illuminate it, and the Lamb is its lamp.24 The nations shall walk by its light and the rulers and leaders of the earth shall bring into it their glory.25 And its gates shall never be closed by day, and there shall be no night there.

Isn’t it curious that God’s beginning had an ending – but His Ending has a New Beginning in Jesus? You are a new beginning. There was darkness in your beginning – probably some darkness in your middle – but in the ending there is a new beginning waiting. In Jesus He writes our book. He is the Author and you are His letter. He is the A to Z, the Beginning and the Ending. Your life, and time on this earth is simply another chapter being written, and added to His Book. Question is what are you going to do with this new chapter being written? This new year – 2025?

There’s an interesting Irish New Year’s tradition involving people opening the back door of their house just before midnight to “let the Old Year out” and opening the front door to “let the New Year in”. While opening the front door at midnight, people would greet their neighbors and wish them a Happy New Year! Revelation 12:11 promises we overcome the accuser of the brothers through the Blood of Jesus and the Testimony that blood brings. Through His Blood we can let the old year out and close the door on it. Through His Blood we can open the DOOR and welcome the new year in. Why? Through His Blood we have overcome. Through His Blood we are forgiven, cleansed, healed and made new. Through His Blood we can forget what’s behind and strain towards what’s ahead – His New Beginning. Let’s join Jesus – Who is the Door – opening ourselves up to begin writing a new chapter with our Author. Let’s begin again anew. Let’s become something new, and start bearing the fruit of His Light in the darkness – til the Dawning of His New Day. He makes all things new!

Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit! Pronounced: ath leen fui washa ditch = Happy New Year to You!