Commentary on Exodus 7

Exodus 7 marks the beginning of God's direct confrontation with Pharaoh through a series of miraculous signs and judgments. Moses and Aaron, empowered by God, perform the first sign of Aaron's staff turning into a snake, which consumes the staffs of Pharaoh's magicians. This initial display of divine power is met with Pharaoh's hardened heart, setting the stage for the first plague: water turning to blood. The chapter vividly portrays the escalating conflict between the Lord's omnipotence and Pharaoh's stubborn resistance, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to deliver His people.

Historical context

The book of Exodus picks up centuries after the events of Genesis, with the descendants of Jacob having multiplied greatly in Egypt. Pharaoh, fearing their growing numbers, enslaved them and eventually ordered the killing of all male Israelite babies. This oppressive context sets the stage for God's intervention through Moses, whom He calls to lead His people out of bondage. The narrative of Exodus is not merely a historical account but a theological drama, illustrating God's covenant faithfulness, His power over all creation and human rulers, and His redemptive plan for Israel.

Chapter 7 specifically places us at the precipice of the plagues, a series of divine judgments designed to break Pharaoh's will and demonstrate the Lord's supremacy over the gods of Egypt. Egyptian religion was polytheistic, with various deities associated with natural phenomena, fertility, and the Nile River itself. The plagues directly challenged these gods, proving their impotence before the one true God, YHWH. Pharaoh, as the divine king, was considered a god himself, making his defiance a direct affront to the Lord.

Verse by verse

• 1:

  God tells Moses, “I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.” This establishes Moses's authoritative role as God's representative, speaking divine words, while Aaron acts as his spokesman, much like a prophet communicates God's message to the people. This divine commissioning underscores the gravity of their mission.

• 3:

  The Lord declares, “But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” This verse introduces the profound theological theme of God hardening Pharaoh's heart. It's not that God forces Pharaoh against his will, but rather allows Pharaoh's inherent rebellion to intensify, using it to display His own glory and power.

• 8:

  God instructs Moses and Aaron to perform a sign for Pharaoh: Aaron is to throw down his staff, and it will become a serpent. This is the first direct confrontation, a visual demonstration of divine power intended to awe Pharaoh and his court.

• 10:

  Aaron casts his staff before Pharaoh, and it transforms into a serpent, just as the Lord commanded. This immediate obedience and the resulting miracle serve as a powerful testament to God's presence and authority working through His chosen servants.

• 11:

  Pharaoh, in response, summons his wise men, sorcerers, and magicians, who also cast down their staffs, and they too become serpents. This moment highlights the deceptive power of evil and the limits of human magic, which can mimic but not truly replicate divine power.

• 12:

  Crucially, Aaron’s staff-turned-serpent swallows the serpents of the Egyptian magicians. This act decisively demonstrates the superiority of God's power over all human and demonic imitations. It's a clear visual metaphor for the ultimate triumph of the Lord.

• 13:

  Despite this overwhelming display, “Pharaoh’s heart remained stubborn, and he refused to listen, just as the Lord had predicted.” This reiterates the theme of Pharaoh's hardened heart, a consequence of his own choices and God's sovereign plan to reveal His might.

• 14:

  God then tells Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn, and he refuses to let the people go.” This sets the stage for the plagues, which are not arbitrary acts of vengeance but necessary judgments against Pharaoh's persistent rebellion and the idolatry of Egypt.

• 19:

  The Lord commands Aaron to stretch out his staff over the waters of Egypt, turning them into blood. This is the first plague, directly attacking the Nile River, a source of life and a revered deity (Hapi) in Egyptian culture, signifying God's dominion over their most vital resource.

• 22:

  Again, the Egyptian magicians manage to replicate the miracle, turning some water into blood. This partial success further hardens Pharaoh's heart, as he believes his own sorcerers can match the power of the Israelites' God, underestimating the full scope of the coming judgments.

• 23:

  Pharaoh “turned and went back to his palace, and he didn’t even think about it.” His indifference and dismissal of God's power, even after witnessing such a dramatic sign, underscore his deep-seated rebellion and the spiritual blindness that accompanies a hardened heart.

Key themes

• Divine Sovereignty
• Pharaoh's Hardened Heart
• God's Power over Idolatry
• The Authority of God's Messengers
• Redemption through Judgment

Application

Exodus 7 reminds us that God is sovereign over all earthly powers, even those that seem insurmountable. Pharaoh, the most powerful man of his age, was utterly helpless against the Lord's will. This should bring immense comfort to us, knowing that no obstacle, no oppressive system, and no personal struggle is beyond God's control or His ability to intervene. Our trust should not be in human strength or political systems, but in the God who can turn staffs into serpents and rivers into blood.

The repeated hardening of Pharaoh's heart also serves as a sobering warning. When we continually resist God's clear word and His gentle nudges, our hearts can become increasingly calloused, making it harder to respond to His truth. This chapter calls us to cultivate soft hearts, quick to repent and obey, recognizing God's authority in every area of our lives. Ultimately, this narrative points to Christ, the greater Moses, who delivers us not from physical bondage, but from the slavery of sin and death, through His own powerful work on the cross.

Frequently asked questions