Exodus 7

V 1–7: MASTER PLAN The summary of God’s master plan is given. Although Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened, God will multiply His signs and wonders through Moses, with Aaron as his prophet being able to give verbal support. God will bring judgements on the Egyptians and bring out the children of Israel. Moses and Aaron, aged eighty and eighty-three respectively, obey God’s command. V 8–13: MIGHTY POWER As God commands Moses and Aaron, Aaron’s rod becomes a serpent before Pharaoh. His sorcerers and magicians (through whatever method, be it magic or sleight of hand), produce rods that turn into serpents. But God’s mighty power is shown in that Aaron’s serpent swallows them. Nevertheless, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he will not listen to God’s word through His servants. V 14–25: MIRACULOUS PLAGUES: PLAGUE ONE—BLOOD God then begins to smite Egypt with miraculous plagues in order to demonstrate both His power, and that Moses and Aaron serve Him and have His authority. After due warning is given by Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, the first plague is demonstrated to him. All the water in the River Nile, which is sacred to the Egyptians and is their highway to commercial success, is turned into blood so that the fish die and the Egyptians cannot drink the river water. Pharaoh’s magicians perform a similar feat (again, we are not told by what means) and Pharaoh’s heart once more grows hard. He will not listen to God’s message through Aaron and Moses. The Egyptians have to dig round the river for water and drink from other sources.