And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they.
And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also 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 he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.
Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river.
Exodus 7 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, escalating the conflict between God and Pharaoh, and showcasing the initial displays of divine power intended to liberate the Israelites. This chapter details Moses and Aaron's obedience to God, their confrontation with Pharaoh, and the commencement of the plagues, beginning with the turning of the Nile into blood.
Obedience in Action
Exodus 7:6-7 highlights the unwavering obedience of Moses and Aaron: “Moses and Aaron . . . did just as the LORD commanded them.” This simple statement carries immense weight. It underscores the importance of obedience as a cornerstone of faith. There is no greater praise than to be known as someone who diligently follows God's instructions. Such faithfulness echoes in the words of Jesus, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:23).
It's also noteworthy that Moses was eighty and Aaron eighty-three when they embarked on this monumental mission (Exodus 7:7). This serves as an encouragement that our senior years can be remarkably fruitful when dedicated to God's purpose. Age is not a barrier to serving God effectively; rather, experience and wisdom can enhance one's contribution.
Confronting Pharaoh: A Test of Power
The chapter then shifts to the dramatic confrontation with Pharaoh. To demonstrate the Lord’s power, Moses and Aaron perform a sign: Aaron casts his staff before Pharaoh, and it becomes a serpent (Exodus 7:8-9). Pharaoh, unimpressed, summons his sorcerers, who replicate the feat through their occult practices (Exodus 7:9-11). However, Aaron's staff swallows the staffs of the sorcerers (Exodus 7:12), clearly demonstrating the superiority of God's power over any form of magic or occult practice. Despite this undeniable display, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened (Exodus 7:13). His rebellion stems from the core of his being, a deep-seated refusal to acknowledge God's authority.
The First Plague: The Nile Turns to Blood
Exodus 7:14-25 details the first of the plagues – a divine curse upon Egypt. Moses and Aaron warn Pharaoh that the Lord will turn the Nile into blood, rendering the water undrinkable (Exodus 7:15-18). The Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt, the source of its sustenance and prosperity, is transformed into a symbol of death and defilement.
At God's command, Aaron strikes the water with his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, and the Nile turns to blood (Exodus 7:19-20). The river becomes polluted, and the Egyptians are unable to drink from it (Exodus 7:20-21). The magicians, through their occult practices, attempt to mimic the plague, perhaps through sleight of hand, but their efforts are on a much smaller scale (Exodus 7:22). Even if they could replicate the miracle, they couldn't undo it. The Egyptians are forced to dig for water (Exodus 7:24), while the Nile remains polluted and emits a foul stench for seven days.
Despite this powerful display of God's judgment, Pharaoh remains stubborn. He turns and goes into his house, neither paying attention nor repenting (Exodus 7:23). Pharaoh's pride is his downfall. He refuses to submit to divine authority, a sin that blinds him to the reality of God's power and the impending consequences of his defiance.
A Reminder of God's Sovereignty
Exodus 7:3-5 reminds us that God's hand will be experienced by all, either in judgment or in mercy. This chapter serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to delivering His people. It also highlights the destructive nature of pride and the importance of humility in recognizing and submitting to God's will. Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a cautionary tale against resisting God's clear revelation.
This chapter sets the stage for the unfolding drama of the Exodus, demonstrating God's power to overcome even the most stubborn opposition and His unwavering determination to fulfill His promises to His people. As we delve deeper into the narrative, we witness the escalating consequences of Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge God's authority and the unwavering faithfulness of God in delivering His chosen nation.
And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they.
And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
And the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also 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 he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.
Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
And thou shalt say unto him, The Lord God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.
And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the Lord had smitten the river.
Exodus 7 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, escalating the conflict between God and Pharaoh, and showcasing the initial displays of divine power intended to liberate the Israelites. This chapter details Moses and Aaron's obedience to God, their confrontation with Pharaoh, and the commencement of the plagues, beginning with the turning of the Nile into blood.
Obedience in Action
Exodus 7:6-7 highlights the unwavering obedience of Moses and Aaron: “Moses and Aaron . . . did just as the LORD commanded them.” This simple statement carries immense weight. It underscores the importance of obedience as a cornerstone of faith. There is no greater praise than to be known as someone who diligently follows God's instructions. Such faithfulness echoes in the words of Jesus, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:23).
It's also noteworthy that Moses was eighty and Aaron eighty-three when they embarked on this monumental mission (Exodus 7:7). This serves as an encouragement that our senior years can be remarkably fruitful when dedicated to God's purpose. Age is not a barrier to serving God effectively; rather, experience and wisdom can enhance one's contribution.
Confronting Pharaoh: A Test of Power
The chapter then shifts to the dramatic confrontation with Pharaoh. To demonstrate the Lord’s power, Moses and Aaron perform a sign: Aaron casts his staff before Pharaoh, and it becomes a serpent (Exodus 7:8-9). Pharaoh, unimpressed, summons his sorcerers, who replicate the feat through their occult practices (Exodus 7:9-11). However, Aaron's staff swallows the staffs of the sorcerers (Exodus 7:12), clearly demonstrating the superiority of God's power over any form of magic or occult practice. Despite this undeniable display, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened (Exodus 7:13). His rebellion stems from the core of his being, a deep-seated refusal to acknowledge God's authority.
The First Plague: The Nile Turns to Blood
Exodus 7:14-25 details the first of the plagues – a divine curse upon Egypt. Moses and Aaron warn Pharaoh that the Lord will turn the Nile into blood, rendering the water undrinkable (Exodus 7:15-18). The Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt, the source of its sustenance and prosperity, is transformed into a symbol of death and defilement.
At God's command, Aaron strikes the water with his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, and the Nile turns to blood (Exodus 7:19-20). The river becomes polluted, and the Egyptians are unable to drink from it (Exodus 7:20-21). The magicians, through their occult practices, attempt to mimic the plague, perhaps through sleight of hand, but their efforts are on a much smaller scale (Exodus 7:22). Even if they could replicate the miracle, they couldn't undo it. The Egyptians are forced to dig for water (Exodus 7:24), while the Nile remains polluted and emits a foul stench for seven days.
Despite this powerful display of God's judgment, Pharaoh remains stubborn. He turns and goes into his house, neither paying attention nor repenting (Exodus 7:23). Pharaoh's pride is his downfall. He refuses to submit to divine authority, a sin that blinds him to the reality of God's power and the impending consequences of his defiance.
A Reminder of God's Sovereignty
Exodus 7:3-5 reminds us that God's hand will be experienced by all, either in judgment or in mercy. This chapter serves as a potent reminder of God's sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to delivering His people. It also highlights the destructive nature of pride and the importance of humility in recognizing and submitting to God's will. Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a cautionary tale against resisting God's clear revelation.
This chapter sets the stage for the unfolding drama of the Exodus, demonstrating God's power to overcome even the most stubborn opposition and His unwavering determination to fulfill His promises to His people. As we delve deeper into the narrative, we witness the escalating consequences of Pharaoh's refusal to acknowledge God's authority and the unwavering faithfulness of God in delivering His chosen nation.