“And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.”
Context:The book of Exodus records the events surrounding the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In this verse, Moses and Aaron, acting as God’s spokespersons, perform the first of the ten plagues upon Egypt.
Obedience to God’s command:Moses and Aaron obeyed the instructions given by the Lord. They demonstrated faithfulness and trust by carrying out God’s command to strike the river Nile with Moses’ rod. This obedience to God’s specific instructions was crucial throughout the Exodus narrative.
Divine judgment:The turning of the river Nile into blood was a significant sign of God’s judgment upon the Egyptians and their false gods. The Nile was revered as a source of life, fertility, and prosperity in Egypt, and by transforming it into blood, God demonstrated His power over all creation and the ineffectiveness of Egyptian deities.
Symbolic significance:The turning of the water into blood was not merely a display of power, but it also had symbolic meaning. Blood represents judgment, death, and the consequences of sin. The Egyptians, who had oppressed the Israelites for centuries, were now experiencing the consequences of their actions.
Pharaoh’s hardened heart:Despite witnessing this miraculous sign, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he refused to let the Israelites go. This initiated a series of plagues that would escalate in severity, demonstrating God’s power and challenging Pharaoh’s pride and stubbornness.
Foreshadowing of future events:The turning of the water into blood serves as a foreshadowing of several events in the Bible, including the future judgment of God upon the wicked (Revelation 16:3-7) and the institution of the Lord’s Supper, where Jesus refers to His blood as the new covenant (Matthew 26:28).
Application for believers:This passage reminds believers of the importance of obedience to God’s commands. Moses and Aaron’s faithfulness in carrying out God’s instructions serves as an example for us to follow. It also highlights the consequences of sin and the need for repentance, as symbolized by the turning of the water into blood.
In conclusion, Exodus 7:20 showcases Moses and Aaron’s obedience to God’s command, the demonstration of divine judgment upon Egypt, and the subsequent hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. It carries symbolic significance, foreshadows future events, and offers valuable lessons for believers today.
