Exodus Chapter 7 Bible Study: Confrontation with Pharaoh and the First Plagues

God’s Commission to Moses and Aaron

Exodus 7 marks a pivotal shift in the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh. God tells Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet” (v. 1). This statement establishes divine authority—Moses is God’s representative, and Pharaoh’s resistance is ultimately against God Himself. The Lord reiterates His hardening of Pharaoh’s heart (v. 3-4), a theme introduced earlier (Exodus 4:21), showing that divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist (Romans 9:17-18). The purpose is clear: God will multiply His signs so that Egypt—and Israel—will know He is Yahweh (v. 5).

Moses and Aaron Before Pharaoh: The Staff Becomes a Serpent

When Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh, Aaron throws down his staff, and it becomes a serpent (v. 10). This miracle mirrors Exodus 4:3 but now serves as a public sign before Egypt’s ruler. Significantly, Pharaoh’s magicians replicate the feat through “secret arts” (v. 11-12), but Aaron’s staff swallows theirs. This demonstrates:

  • God’s supremacy—His power is not mere trickery but absolute.
  • The limits of counterfeit spirituality—Satan can produce deceptive signs (2 Thessalonians 2:9), but they cannot overcome divine authority.
  • A foreshadowing of judgment—Just as Aaron’s serpent devours the magicians’, God’s power will consume Egypt’s defiance.

The First Plague: Water Turned to Blood

When Pharaoh remains unmoved, God sends the first plague: all water in the Nile and its tributaries turns to blood (v. 14-19). The Nile, Egypt’s life source and object of worship (associated with the god Hapi), is struck directly, showing Yahweh’s superiority over false deities. Key details include:

  • Seven days of death (v. 21, 25)—The duration signifies completeness (Genesis 2:2-3), emphasizing total divine judgment.
  • Egypt’s magicians replicate it (v. 22)—But they cannot reverse it, revealing their power’s futility.
  • Pharaoh’s heart hardens further (v. 22-23)—His refusal to repent despite suffering previews his escalating defiance.

Theological Significance of the First Plague

  • Divine Justice: The plague targets Egypt’s oppression—just as they shed Hebrew infants’ blood (Exodus 1:22), now their water becomes blood.
  • Cosmic Battle: Yahweh defeats Egypt’s gods (Exodus 12:12), a theme developed in later plagues.
  • Revelation of God’s Nature: The Lord is not merely a tribal deity but the sovereign Judge (Psalm 9:16).

Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart: Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

Exodus 7 repeatedly mentions Pharaoh’s hardened heart (v. 3, 13, 22). Some translations say “God hardened,” while others say “Pharaoh hardened” his own heart. This tension highlights:

  • God’s sovereign control—He uses even rebellion to fulfill His purposes (Proverbs 16:4).
  • Human accountability—Pharaoh’s pride leads to his downfall (Proverbs 16:18).
  • Judicial hardening—When people persistently reject truth, God may confirm them in their rebellion (Romans 1:24-28).

Practical Lessons from Exodus 7

✔ God’s authority surpasses all earthly powers (Psalm 2:1-4).
✔ Miracles alone cannot produce faith—Pharaoh saw wonders but refused repentance (Luke 16:31).
✔ Spiritual warfare is real—Counterfeit powers exist, but God’s truth prevails (1 John 4:4).
✔ Judgment begins with the house of God—Egypt’s sin was great, but Israel must also learn obedience (1 Peter 4:17).

Exodus 7 sets the stage for the full demonstration of God’s power through the plagues, revealing His justice, sovereignty, and unmatched glory. The battle between Yahweh and Pharaoh is not merely political—it is cosmic, with eternal implications for how we understand God’s rule over creation.