Exodus 6 And 7

Although the elders of Israel had initially believed Moses and Aaron after they have shown the signs from God (c 4:4-7, 9, 30-31); now they doubted him because after they went in to Pharaoh asking permission to go to the wilderness to sacrifice, Pharaoh made it all the more hard on the people through heavy labor (c 5:7-14). The message that initially gave them hope for deliverance from bondage now turns into affliction and much oppression for the people. This is what the enemy of our soul does too. Whenever he sees the beginning of faith in us he will do anything to hinder it from growing and instead put some doubts in our hearts. Will God really do this for you? Can He do this to you? How can he do this for you? Who are you to look after and care for? These are seeds of unbelief.

Moses’ complaint in chapter 5:22-23, is now answered. “Now, you will see.” (c 6:1). God wants to give assurance to us also. He wants us to see His wonderful work in a yielded life (as in the life of Moses himself; and in the life of His own son, Jesus) and the result of God’s work in un-yielded life (as in the life of Pharaoh).

God assured Moses again who He was (c 6:3) and what He can do (6:4-8). To Abram, Isaac and Jacob, He was the God Almighty. Now, to Moses, He was the Ever-existent God, the Self-existent and Eternal - there is no one before Him and ever will be. Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am”, John 8:58. As we get to know Him better, our fears are dispelled and our doubts dismissed.

“I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel.” (v5). God hears our cry. Another assurance to Moses that God hears and He is not deaf as the heathen god -they have ears, but they hear not: (Psalms 115:6 & 135:17).

Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? (v12). Moses was just saying, if my own people don’t believe me how can other people believe me? Jesus himself testified, that a prophet has no honor in his own country (John 4:44). God wants to let Moses know what He can do through him to make his people believe. If we are willing to be used by God, He can show His power working in us to our own family and loved ones so that they too might believe (c 7:1-5).

“Exodus 7:6, And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they”. From this time onward, Moses’ doubts and reluctance to obey were gone and he willingly did all that the Lord commanded him to do. This is the result of communion with God after God has shown Moses of His plan of deliverance for the children of Israel more clearly.

The signs of the rod becoming a serpent and the water turning into blood... The sorcerers and magicians of Pharaoh can only imitate these at some point but not as powerful (v12) and not as extensive and as widespread (7:17-22, 24-25). The world can imitate the children of God or even at some point make it look like the work of God but it is very limited and not as powerful. It is only God who can do a true miracle in our own hearts and lives and this can be done only in whose lives they allow God to work. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up...John 3:14. The serpent was the symbol of sin and Jesus became a symbol for our sins so that we can be saved. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood…1Jn 5:6. In John 19:34, But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. In Rev 12:11, And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…we couldn't be thankful enough for our salvation and for the precious blood of the Lamb who died for us. God was just showing to Pharaoh that He is more powerful than the Egyptian’s god of the Nile. Remember this is the same river where they threw all the newly-born male babies. Now God had the upper hand and their source of life and cleansing became loathsome to them. 2Co 2:16, To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. What to the Egyptians as savour unto death was life and salvation to God’s people.

R. Aragones