Exodus - Chapter 7

Exodus 7.1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Exodus 7.2 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. Exodus 7.3 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. Exodus 7.4 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. Exodus 7.5 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. Exodus 7.6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they. Exodus 7.7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh. Exodus 7.8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Exodus 7.9 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. Exodus 7.10 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. Exodus 7.11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. Exodus 7.12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. Exodus 7.13 And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. Exodus 7.14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. Exodus 7.15 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. Exodus 7.16 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. Exodus 7.17 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. Exodus 7.18 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. Exodus 7.19 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. Exodus 7.20 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. Exodus 7.21 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. Exodus 7.22 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. Exodus 7.23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. Exodus 7.24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. Exodus 7.25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.

Exodus : Chapter 7

The Plagues of Egypt in Exodus 7

Chapter 7 of the book of Exodus marks the beginning of a powerful and dramatic account of the plagues of Egypt. Through these events, God demonstrates His power over the false Egyptian gods and reveals the depth of His judgment against human stubbornness.

Spiritual Conflict

This chapter highlights the conflict between the true God and the Egyptian deities, illustrated by the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. The account evokes the dramatic transformation of Aaron's staff into a serpent, followed by the first plague: water turning into blood. These events are not only manifestations of power, but also symbols of divine judgment on those who oppose Him. The Themes and Pattern of the Plagues Exodus 7 establishes a pattern that will be followed by subsequent plagues, inviting us to reflect on the consequences of stubbornness in the face of divine will. Five biblical passages shed light on these themes of divine power and judgment:

Correlated Bible Passages

Psalms 78:43-44: "They did not remember his power, nor the day he delivered them from the enemy, when he performed his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the land of Zoan. He turned their rivers and their streams into blood, so that they could not drink." This psalm evokes the bloody plague described in Exodus 7:14-25, emphasizing the neglect of divine power.

Acts 7:36: "He brought them out of Egypt, performing wonders and signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years." Here, Stephen recalls the miracles of Moses, particularly those relating to Exodus 7.

Romans 9:17-18: "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up: to show my power in you and that my name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth.' So God has mercy on whom he wills and hardens whom he wills." The apostle Paul invites us to meditate on the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, a central theme that emerges as early as Exodus 7.

Revelation 16:3-4: "The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of a dead man, and every living creature in it died. The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and they turned to blood." This vision of judgment resonates with the bloody plague of Exodus 7:14-25.

2 Timothy 3:8: "Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so they also resist the truth. They are men of corrupt minds, disapproved by their faith." Paul refers to a Jewish tradition concerning Pharaoh's magicians, highlighting their opposition to divine truth, as mentioned in Exodus 7:11-12.

Conclusion

Through these stories and passages, we are called to recognize the greatness of God and to reflect on our own response to His power. May the story of the plagues of Egypt inspire us to submit to God's will and remember His wonders.