Exodus 7:1-13

Exodus 7:1-13

Once Moses finally decided to follow God’s commands, God gave Moses and Aaron their next set of instructions and promises. He once again promised Moses that Pharaoh would not listen to him, no matter how many signs they performed before him. Although it might seem pointless for Moses to say anything to Pharaoh knowing that it will not do any good, this is a great picture of what obedience should look like. Take witnessing for example. We may spend years witnessing to someone and never feel like we are making progress. It may seem as if they are not listening or want no part in what we are telling them. But that does not mean that we should give up on them. Just because we do not know what the outcome will be or cannot see how any good thing will come of it, does not mean that we give up. We have been commanded to preach the Gospel to all nations for God’s glory, and we may never see the fruit of our actions, but obedience is still required. That is what God expected of Moses in this particular instance, and that is what He expects from us as well. We should be willing to obey His commands no matter what.

One other interesting aspect about Pharaoh’s stubbornness (which is caused by God at this point) is that God is planning on using his stubbornness to show His power to the Egyptians. Since Pharaoh is not going to let the Israelites leave Egypt easily, God is going to have to show His mighty power to get them out. As a result, the Egyptians will learn who God is in the process. This is a prime example that God is not just the God of Israel, but God of the entire world. He does not just have a heart for Israel, but He has a heart for all nations. At times it is easy to think that the Old Testament was just about Israel, but in reality, the Old Testament also shows how God revealed Himself to all the nations.

Moses and Aaron then went to Pharaoh and did all they were commanded. They showed Pharaoh the signs that God had given them, but as God had promised, Pharaoh refused to listen. In fact, he took his own magicians and did the same signs and wonders. But God showed that He was more powerful that any earthly tricks. He had His snake (Moses’ staff) eat the rest of the snakes (the Egyptian’s staffs). Pharaoh thought that he had one up on God, but God proved how great He truly is and that no one can outdo Him.

Matt