*Beloved child of God, hear how the Almighty calls Moses to be a "god" before Pharaoh. He does not intend to elevate man, but to demonstrate His own supreme power and love for His people. As the signs unfold, remember that God's purpose is to free you from every bondage of heart and flesh. Trust in His timing, for He alone knows the perfect moment to deliver you.*
Exodus — Chapter 7 — KJV
1
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Simply PutGod says to Moses, “Look, I’ve made you a god to Pharaoh.” The Hebrew word for “god” here (Elohim, H430) doesn’t mean that Moses becomes divine; it means God is giving him the authority to act as His representative. Aaron, his brother, will be his “prophet” (Navi, H5352) – the one who speaks God’s words. Together they become a team, not idols.
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.
Simply Put“Speak all that I command you.” The word for “speak” (Daber, H1695) carries the weight of God’s voice being spoken through a human. Aaron will convey this message to Pharaoh, urging him to free Israel from his land. It’s a reminder that God’s spoken word can move even the most hardened heart.
3
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Simply Put“I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.” The Hebrew verb (Chazak, H2635) means to make firm or strong. God will also “multiply” (Rabah, H7271) signs and wonders in Egypt to demonstrate His power. Even when you feel God is tightening the reins of a stubborn heart, He’s preparing to show His greatness.
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.
Simply Put“Pharaoh shall not hearken.” The phrase “great judgments” (Mishpat, H4858) refers to divine decisions that will bring His hand upon Egypt. God’s purpose is not just to punish but to rescue Israel, bringing them out by powerful acts that prove His sovereignty.
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.
Simply Put“The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” The Hebrew verb (Parash, H6432) means to stretch or extend. When God stretches His hand over Egypt and brings out Israel, He reveals Himself as the ever-present One (YHWH, H3068), confirming that He is real and active.
6
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
Simply PutMoses and Aaron obeyed the LORD’s command, just as He instructed. Their obedience was the bridge between God’s promise and Pharaoh’s response.
7
And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
Simply PutMoses was forty, Aaron forty-three when they approached Pharaoh. Age didn’t limit their ability to serve God; it was the readiness of heart that mattered.
8
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Simply PutThe LORD’s message to Moses and Aaron is about the upcoming confrontation with Pharaoh, showing that God’s plan unfolds step by step.
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.
Simply PutWhen Pharaoh asks for a miracle, Aaron is told to throw his rod down and it will become a serpent. The Hebrew word for “miracle” (Nes, H5087) signals an act that proves divine power beyond human tricks.
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.
Simply PutAaron obeyed and his rod became a serpent before Pharaoh. This simple act was God’s first display of power in front of the Egyptian court.
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.
Simply PutPharaoh summoned his “wise men” and “magicians.” These were the Egyptian enchanters (Kasim, H7073), who attempted to replicate God’s signs with their own arts.
12
For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
Simply PutAll the men cast down their rods, turning them into serpents, but Aaron’s rod swallowed theirs. The verb “swallow” (Kalah, H3045) shows that God’s authority can absorb and dominate any human magic.
13
And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Simply PutPharaoh’s heart was hardened, as the LORD had warned. This hardening (Hebrew Chazak) reveals how God’s purpose can cause a ruler to resist, setting the stage for greater displays of power.
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.
Simply PutMoses is told to meet Pharaoh at the river’s edge. The “river” (Nehara, H5068) is symbolic of the lifeblood of Egypt; standing on its brink shows Moses confronting God’s power at the source.
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.
Simply PutHe must tell Pharaoh, “The LORD God of the Hebrews has sent me to you. Let my people go so they may serve Me in the wilderness.” The “wilderness” (Midbar, H4949) is not just a desert but the place where God refines and teaches His people.
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.
Simply Put“In this you shall know that I am the LORD.” The verb “smite” (Nagaz, H5225) indicates a decisive strike. God warns that He will turn the river into blood (Dam, H3025), showing His supreme authority.
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.
Simply PutThe fish will die, the river will stink (Revah, H7375), and Egyptians will loathe drinking its water. This vivid image shows how God’s judgment can affect every aspect of daily life.
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.
Simply PutAaron is instructed to stretch his hand over all Egypt’s waters—streams, rivers, ponds—to turn them into blood. The word “gathering” (Mikvah, H5149) shows how all sources of water will be united under God’s judgment.
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.
Simply PutMoses and Aaron obeyed. They lifted up (Nasa, H5391) the rod and struck the water in Pharaoh’s sight. The waters turned to blood, confirming God’s power before all eyes.
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.
Simply PutThe fish died, the river stank, and Egyptians couldn’t drink. Blood spread throughout Egypt’s vessels—both wooden and stone—making the curse visible everywhere.
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.
Simply PutThe Egyptian magicians tried their enchantments (Kesem, H7075), but Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened. Their failure shows that human arts can’t compete with God’s miracles.
23
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.
Simply PutPharaoh turned and went into his house, not setting his heart to the warning. His refusal underscores how stubbornness can blind even those with power.
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.
Simply PutEgyptians dug around the river for water to drink because the river was useless. Their desperate search reflects a world thrown into chaos by divine judgment.
25
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.
Simply PutSeven days passed after God smote the river. The number seven (Shva, H3009) often signifies completion—a full cycle of judgment ending before the next divine act.
Genesis 31:3This verse underscores the symbolic weight of a forty-year period, resonating with Moses' age (fourscore) and his four decades of service in Egypt before the divine deliverance.
Numbers 12:6It defines a prophet as one who receives direct revelation from the LORD, illuminating Aaron's appointed role as Moses' prophetic mouthpiece to Pharaoh.
Deuteronomy 34:9This passage highlights the faithful obedience of Moses to God's commands, mirroring the precise execution of divine instructions in Exodus 7.
Isaiah 45:1It portrays God designating a human leader as His instrument, paralleling the declaration that He has made Moses a "god" to Pharaoh.
Reflect
When have you recently found yourself resistant to a warning or piece of advice—what emotions or circumstances were keeping your heart stubborn, and how has that resistance been shaping the result?
