Breakdown of Exodus 7:1-7

"And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of hi…" — God tells Moses he's been made "like God" to Pharaoh, not in essence, but in the authority and power God is granting him to command and perform miracles. Aaron's role as Moses' "prophet" means he's e…

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Exodus 7:1-7

What does Exodus 7:1-7 mean?

God tells Moses he's been made "like God" to Pharaoh, not in essence, but in the authority and power God is granting him to command and perform miracles. Aaron's role as Moses' "prophet" means he's essentially Moses' spokesperson, relaying Moses' (and therefore God's) word to the king.

And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Exodus 7:1-7 means

After Pharaoh initially refused to let the Israelites go, leading to a hardened heart and increased burdens, God reassures Moses. He tells Moses that he will be like a god to Pharaoh, empowered to command and enact divine judgment, while Aaron will act as Moses' spokesperson, conveying God's messages. This sets the stage for the escalating series of plagues that will demonstrate God's power and ultimately lead to Israel's liberation.

God's Power, Not Moses'

Moses felt inadequate, like a nobody facing a powerful king. But God gave him a stunning title and a divine purpose. How does this shift your view of human limitations?

God tells Moses, 'See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh.' This doesn't mean Moses became God, but that God would work through Moses with divine authority and power.

A Divine Commission

God's Representative: Moses was appointed as God's vicegerent, acting in God's name and with His delegated authority. The power to command plagues and see them removed flowed from God, but was enacted through Moses.
Above Nature: The miracles Moses would perform were beyond ordinary human capability, demonstrating God's supreme power over creation and Pharaoh's gods.
God's Glory: This elevation of Moses wasn't about exalting Moses himself, but about showcasing God's immense power. God remains God, even when He empowers His servants.

Aaron: The Prophet's Voice

Why did Moses need a 'prophet'? Discover the crucial role Aaron played as the bridge between divine command and human understanding.

Aaron's role as Moses' 'prophet' was essential for effective communication and action. He wasn't just a sidekick, but a vital link in God's plan.

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What Exodus 7:1-7 means

What does Exodus 7:1-7 mean?

What Exodus 7:1-7 means

God's Power, Not Moses'

Aaron: The Prophet's Voice

Ask Sola about this verse

What Exodus 7:1-7 means

God's Power, Not Moses'

Aaron: The Prophet's Voice

Ask Sola about this verse

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