Exodus 7:1-8

1 The LORD said to Moses, "See, I've made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.

2 You will say everything that I command you, and your brother Aaron will tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites out of his land.

3 But I'll make Pharaoh stubborn, and I'll perform many of my signs and amazing acts in the land of Egypt.

4 When Pharaoh refuses to listen to you, then I'll act against Egypt and I'll bring my people the Israelites out of the land of Egypt in military formation by momentous events of justice.

5 The Egyptians will come to know that I am the LORD, when I act against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them."

6 Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them.

7 Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83 when they spoke to Pharaoh.

Turning rods into snakes

8 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron,

Exodus 7:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 7

Moses and Aaron are ordered to go to Pharaoh, and require the dismission of the people of Israel, but they are told before hand that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened, and would refuse to let them go, until the hand of the Lord was stretched out, and great judgments were brought down upon, Egypt, and then they should come forth, Ex 7:1-5, which orders Moses and Aaron obeyed, and their age is observed, when this was done, Ex 7:6,7 and they are bid to work a miracle, when Pharaoh should demand one, by turning a rod into a serpent, which they did; but Pharaoh's magicians doing the same in appearance, his heart was hardened, Ex 7:8-14 and then they are directed to meet him at the river, and require the same as before; and if he refused, to smite the waters of the river with the rod, and turn them into blood, which they did, Ex 7:15-21, but Pharaoh's magicians doing the same by enchantments, he did not regard it, though the plague lasted seven days, Ex 7:22-25.