EXODUS –LESSON 13
LEARN: Isaiah 46:9, 10
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
READ: Exodus 7:1-25
1. Reading again Exodus 6:30, we are reminded that Moses was discouraged and hesitant to speak again to Pharaoh. What did the LORD tell Moses, showing him that though Pharaoh was a powerful ruler and in worldly terms superior to him, Moses had every right to command Pharaoh’s obedience and also had the strength to enforce his commands? v 1
2. From verse 2, what was the chain of authority that would deliver God’s message to Pharaoh?
3. From chapter 4:3-9, what three signs had already been given to Moses to show before the Israelites?
4. What further information is Moses given at this point concerning what will do in regards to signs? v 3
5. Pharaoh’s obstinacy was foreseen and foreknown. Why was he allowed to set his will against God? vv 4, 5 See also Deuteronomy 2:25.
6. Why does God call the nation of Israel “his armies?” Leviticus 18:23-25; Genesis 15:16; Psalm 149:6,7
7. According to verse 5, what did the LORD want the Egyptians to know? Explain what knowing that knowledge would include.
8. What does verse 6 record as the response of Moses and Aaron to the LORD?
NOTE: The statement “Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded” is general and anticipative of the entire series of interviews beginning here (verse 10), and terminating (chapter 10:29) with the words, “I will see thy face no more.” The obedience of Moses and Aaron was perfect and continuous from this time forward until Egypt was quitted. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 160
9. How old were Moses and Aaron when they went before Pharaoh? vv 6,7
NOTE: at this time in Egypt one hundred and ten years was not considered a very exceptionally long life, and men frequently retained their full vigour till seventy or eighty. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 160
10. What did the LORD say Pharaoh would want from Moses and Aaron on this interview? v 9
NOTE: It is obvious that there would have been an impropriety in Moses and Aaron offering a sign to Pharaoh until he asked for one. They claimed to be ambassadors of Yahweh, and to speak in his name (Exodus 5:1). Unless they were misdoubted, it was not for them to produce their credentials. Hence they worked no miracle at their former interview. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 160
11. What was the first sign that was to be shown to Pharaoh? v 9 Who would do the actual sign?
NOTE: It is the same rod that Moses cast down while before the burning bush. It is alternately called Moses rod or Aaron’s rod.
12. How did Pharaoh respond to the miracle of Aaron’s rod being made a serpent? vv 11, 12a
13. Some people think that the sorcerer’s and magicians of Pharaoh were actually capable, by some amazing serpent charming ability, to make the serpents stiff like rods and then to uncharm the serpents so that would slither again. Some people believe that there was nothing at all behind the abilities of the magicians but slight of hand. But the Bible calls them sorcerer’s and magicians, and there is a source to their power, it does not come from themselves. What is the source of their power and abilities? Revelation 16:14; Acts 16:16-18
14. How did the LORD show Pharaoh as well as his people that His power is greater than that of than their source of power? v 12
NOTE: In verse 14- “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened.”- Rather, “is hard,” “is dull.”
NOTE: “In the morning.” It is conjectured, not without reason, that among the recognized duties of the monarch at this time was the offering of a morning sacrifice to the Nile on the banks of the river. Possibly however, this may not have been the case, and God may have chosen for certain miracles particular days, on which the king was about to proceed to the river in view of some special ceremony connected to the annual inundation. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 171
15. What was the LORD’S message that Moses was to give to Pharaoh’s because of his refusal to let the children of Israel go? v 16
16. Remember when Pharaoh said in Exodus 5:2, “Who is the LORD? I know not the LORD.” What was God’s promise to Pharaoh would be the result of all that God would do? v 17a
17. God told Pharaoh ahead of time exactly what He would do. What was God going to do at this particular time? v 17b What would be the result? v 18 During the tribulation, God will bring this plague again. See Revelation 16:3-7. Compare the two events.
18. Some, who are called scholars, have conjectured, saying that the water was only colored red due to the Abyssinian rock or from cryptogamic plants and infursoria.If this were the case, what three things recorded in verse 18 would not have taken place?
NOTE: The loss of the fish would be a great calamity for the Egyptians lived in very large extent upon the fish. PULPIT COMMENTARY p 171
19. God told Pharaoh before hand exactly what He was about to do. Why did the LORD give Pharaoh advance warning? Isaiah 46:9, 10; Ezekiel 12:25; 24:14
20. What was all included in the turning of the water to blood? v19 NOTE: Herodotus wrote, that (1) the various branches of the Nile, natural and artificial, were seven. (2) the canals derived from each branch to fertilize the lands along its banks; (3) ponds, marshes, pools, -the results of the overflowing of the Nile, or of its percolation through its banks on either side;(4) artificial reservoirs, wherein water was stored for use after the inundation was over. The four terms of the text seem applicable to this fourfold division, and show accurate knowledge of Egypt, and its water system.
The “streams” are the Nile branches; the “rivers” correspond to the canals; the “ponds” are the natural accumulations of waters in permanent lakes or in temporary pools and marshes; while “pools” of “gathering of waters”. Are the reservoirs made by man. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 171
21. Once Moses and Aaron had lifted up the rod as God commanded, what took place? vv 20, 21
22. What foolish thing did the magicians of Pharaoh then do? v 22
23. What was the result upon Pharaoh of seeing God’s mighty power at work? vv 22, 23
24. Will seeing God’s power necessarily bring belief in God? Use the following scripture to explain your answer:
John 10:31-33
John 11:45-50
John 18:4-6, 12
24. What did Pharaoh’s hard heart bring upon his people? v 24