Scripture: 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.
Exodus 7:1-7 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, Moses uses a genealogical bridge to connect his audience with the historical context of Moses and Aaron. As such, he selectively focuses on three of Jacob’s twelve sons, Reuben, Simeon, and Levi—primarily emphasizing Levi, as Moses and Aaron are his descendants. Moses concludes his list by rephrasing verses 10-13, which encapsulate God’s command (tell Pharaoh to let Israel leave Egypt) and Moses’ response (Pharaoh will not listen to him because he has uncircumcised/faltering lips).
In today’s reading, Yahweh declares that he has made Abraham like God to Pharaoh and Aaron a prophet to Moses. Then, the verb tense turns to the future with a series of “I will” statements:
- I will harden Pharaoh’s heart (v.3)
- I will stretch out my hand against Egypt (vv.4-5)
- I will bring my people out from Egypt by great acts of judgment (vv.4-5)
The result? The people of Egypt will know that Yahweh is “I AM” (v.5). Admirably, Moses and Aaron, now older and wiser (being in their eighties), express no further doubts or concerns but prudently obey and take action (v.6).
Takeaway: The wording of this passage echoes that of 3:18-22, where God first instructs Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand to let God’s people leave Egypt with the warning he will harden Pharaoh’s heart. In this passage, God adds he has made Moses “like God to Pharaoh” (i.e., Moses would speak and act with the authority of his Lord) and that the Egyptians will know that “I AM” is God when he performs his many signs and wonders. So, no more dress rehearsals, no need to run this by fellow Israelites; it is time to act.
Our takeaway? There are two. First, Moses will repeatedly chronicle in one form or another God’s intent to reveal himself to the Egyptians through his signs and wonders so that they would believe that Yahweh is God (7:5; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 16, 29; 14:4, 18), and some would come to faith and join Israel in their Exodus (12:38). This is astonishing, given that the Egyptians were horrid oppressors of God’s people. Yet, Jesus reminds us to pray for those who persecute us and love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). In short, we must not write off anyone as being beyond the outstretched arm of God’s salvific work.
Second, preparation is essential—particularly when confronting someone about their ungodly behavior. Still, there comes a point when we must trust that God will bring about the desired outcome in due time. While God welcomes us to express our doubts and concerns to him, to cast our anxieties onto him (1 Peter 5:6-7), there comes a point when enough is enough. The Great I Am is speaking to us and reminding us of his divine plan: he will, and we will.
Our part? While all of us will face challenging moments, we must remember that it’s not on us. So, let’s put on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18), starting with our belt of truth—speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Then draw our sword of the Spirit (our minds renewed by the Word of God), praying each step of the way, and enter into the fray of conflict knowing that the outcome belongs to our Lord—that he will extricate us, whether here and now or altogether from this sin marred world. Regardless of the outcome, it’s time to act.
Prayer: Father God, we praise you, our Triune God, for you are the Great I Am! And we thank you for your patience when we express our fears and doubts. But we know there comes a time to act. So, please help us rise above our questions and concerns and put on spiritual armor so we might follow you into battle against evil, speaking the truth in love. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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