1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
2 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.
3 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
4 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.
5 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.
6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
7 And Moses [was] fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
9 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.
10 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.
11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
13 And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart [is] hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.
15 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.
16 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.
17 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.
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
22 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.
23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.
25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
Overview of Exodus Chapter 7
Exodus Chapter 7 marks a significant turning point in the narrative of the Israelites’ liberation from Egyptian bondage. This chapter continues the story of Moses and Aaron as they confront Pharaoh, showcasing the beginning of the plagues that God sends upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power and a means to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites.
Key Themes
- Divine Authority: The chapter emphasizes God’s sovereignty over Egypt and His authority to enact judgment.
- Resistance and Hardening of Hearts: The repeated hardening of Pharaoh’s heart illustrates the struggle between divine will and human obstinacy.
- Signs and Wonders: The miracles performed by Moses and Aaron serve as signs of God’s power and serve to validate their mission.
Summary of Events
- God’s Command to Moses and Aaron (Verses 1-2):
God instructs Moses to speak to Pharaoh, emphasizing that Aaron will perform the signs. This establishes the leadership structure and the divine mandate behind their actions.
- The Confrontation with Pharaoh (Verses 3-5):
God foretells the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, indicating that Pharaoh will not heed the signs. This sets the stage for the ensuing plagues as a means to demonstrate God’s power to both Egypt and Israel.
- The Sign of the Staff (Verses 6-13):
Moses and Aaron perform the sign of turning the staff into a serpent. Pharaoh’s magicians replicate this miracle, which leads to a contest of power between God’s representatives and the Egyptian sorcerers.
- The Plague of Blood (Verses 14-25):
God commands Moses to turn the Nile into blood, resulting in a devastating plague. The water supply is contaminated, and the fish die, causing a significant ecological and economic crisis in Egypt. Despite this, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go.
Character Analysis
- Moses:
Moses emerges as a reluctant yet obedient leader, tasked with confronting powerful forces. His role as a mediator between God and Pharaoh highlights his importance in the narrative.
- Aaron:
Aaron acts as Moses’ spokesperson and performs the signs, reinforcing the theme of divine empowerment and partnership in leadership.
- Pharaoh:
Pharaoh is portrayed as a hardened and obstinate ruler, representing the resistance to God’s authority. His refusal to acknowledge the signs leads to further calamities for Egypt.
Theological Implications
- God’s Sovereignty:
The chapter illustrates God’s control over nature and human affairs, demonstrating that He can intervene in history to fulfill His purposes.
- Human Free Will vs. Divine Will:
The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart raises questions about free will and divine intervention, prompting discussions about the nature of obedience and rebellion against God.
- Judgment and Mercy:
The plagues serve as both judgment against Egypt and an opportunity for repentance, highlighting God’s desire for all people to turn to Him.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 7 serves as a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of the plagues and the eventual liberation of the Israelites. Through the actions of Moses and Aaron, the chapter emphasizes themes of divine authority, human resistance, and the profound impact of God’s signs and wonders. It invites readers to reflect on the nature of faith, obedience, and the consequences of hardening one’s heart against divine will.
