*Exodus 7:1-14
Appointed by God as Pharaoh’s divine spokesperson, Aaron throws down his staff which becomes a snake, but Pharaoh’s magicians do the same, hardening Pharaoh’s heart.
- God Empowers Moses:
- God reassures Moses of His support and guidance.
- Moses is appointed as God’s spokesperson to Pharaoh, with Aaron acting as his assistant.
- The First Encounter with Pharaoh:
- Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh as commanded by God.
- They demand the release of the Israelites to worship in the wilderness.
- Pharaoh defiantly asks for proof of God’s authority.
- The Miracle of the Staff:
- Moses and Aaron perform a miraculous sign before Pharaoh.
- Aaron casts down his staff, and it transforms into a serpent.
- Pharaoh’s magicians replicate the feat, but Aaron’s serpent swallows theirs.
- Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart:
- Despite witnessing the miracle, Pharaoh remains unyielding.
- His heart is hardened, and he refuses to let the Israelites go.
- This sets the stage for a series of confrontations and plagues as God demonstrates His power and demands freedom for His people.
Exodus 7:1-14 teaches us that God’s power is greater than any obstacle we face. Even though Pharaoh refused to listen, God was still in control and had a plan to free His people. This reminds us that when we encounter stubborn challenges in life, we should trust God’s timing and not give up. It encourages us to stay faithful, keep doing what is right, and believe that God is working, even when we don’t see immediate results.
Exodus 7:1-14 (WEB)
7:1 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I have made you as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you; and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. 3 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will lay my hand on Egypt, and bring out my armies, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the children of Israel out from among them.”6 Moses and Aaron did so. As the LORD commanded them, so they did. 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.8 The LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 9 “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Perform a miracle!’ then you shall tell Aaron, ‘Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a serpent.’ ”10 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as the LORD had commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same thing with their enchantments. 12 For they each cast down their rods, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. 13 Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as the LORD had spoken.14 The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn. He refuses to let the people go.