Introduction

Exodus 7 launches the confrontation between YHWH and the gods of Egypt. God makes Moses "like God to Pharaoh" and warns that Pharaoh's heart will be hardened, requiring mighty acts of judgment. The staff-to-serpent sign and the plague on the Nile begin the demonstration of God's supreme power.

God's Instructions to Moses

[1-7] The plan is set.

• Moses as God [1]: "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet."
• Roles defined [2]: "You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go."
• Pharaoh's hardened heart [3-4]: "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my people."
• Egypt will know [5]: "And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out."
• Obedience [6]: Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded
• Ages [7]: Moses is eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they speak to Pharaoh

Aaron's Staff Becomes a Snake

[8-13] The first confrontation.

• God's instruction [8-9]: "When Pharaoh says, 'Perform a miracle,' then say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a snake."
• Aaron obeys [10]: Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and do as the Lord commanded. Aaron throws down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it becomes a snake
• Magicians' response [11-12a]: Pharaoh summons wise men and sorcerers. The Egyptian magicians also do the same things by their secret arts: each throws down his staff and it becomes a snake
• Aaron's staff swallows theirs [12b]: But Aaron's staff swallows up their staffs—demonstrating superior power
• Pharaoh's heart hardens [13]: Yet Pharaoh's heart becomes hard and he will not listen, just as the Lord said

The First Plague: Water to Blood

[14-25] The Nile, Egypt's life source, is struck.

• God's assessment [14]: "Pharaoh's heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go."
• Instructions [15-18]: Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he goes to the Nile. Take the staff. Say, "The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say: Let my people go... But until now you have not listened. This is how you will know that I am the Lord: With the staff in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood."
• The plague [19-21]: Moses tells Aaron to stretch out his staff over Egypt's waters. He does so, and all the water turns to blood. The fish die, the river stinks, and the Egyptians cannot drink its water. Blood is everywhere
• Magicians replicate [22]: The Egyptian magicians do the same with their secret arts. Pharaoh's heart becomes hard; he will not listen
• Pharaoh's indifference [23]: He turns and goes into his palace without taking even this to heart
• The people dig for water [24]: All the Egyptians dig along the Nile for drinking water
• Seven days [25]: Seven days pass after the Lord strikes the Nile

Theological Significance

• Contest with Egyptian gods: The Nile was worshiped as a god (Hapi). Striking it shows YHWH's supremacy
• "You will know I am the LORD": This phrase will repeat through the plagues—the purpose is revelation
• Hardening of Pharaoh's heart: Both God hardens and Pharaoh hardens his own heart—a complex interplay
• The magicians' limits: They can replicate but not reverse. Their power is inferior

Key Takeaways

• God reveals Himself through judgment [5]: The plagues teach Egypt who the LORD is
• God's power exceeds all rivals [12]: Aaron's staff swallows the competition
• Hardened hearts grow harder [22-23]: Each miracle rejected makes the next rejection easier
• False worship leads to suffering [21]: The Nile they worshiped becomes their curse

Reflection Questions

• What "gods" of our culture might God need to expose as powerless?
• How can repeated rejection of God lead to a hardened heart?
• In what ways has God revealed Himself to you through difficult circumstances?