Exodus 7:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.

NIV: Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron will be your prophet.

NASB: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.

CSB: The Lord answered Moses, "See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother will be your prophet.

NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet.

KJV: And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

NKJV: So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.

Pharaoh's retaliation (Exodus 5:6–9) has led to doubt and infighting (Exodus 5:19–21). The Lord responded to Moses' concerns (Exodus 5:22—6:1) by reminding him that this is part of the plan (Exodus 3:19–20). Here, God explains how Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh represent the relative roles of God, a prophet, and the people. This verse does not mean that Moses is a deity. Nor does it mean that he is given special powers beyond the signs provided by the Lord (Exodus 4:8). The point is about how divine messages are relayed.

Moses, by analogy, is in the position of God. He originates the words—in an earthly sense—which he communicates to Aaron (Exodus 4:14–16). Aaron is the symbolic equivalent of the prophet: bringing the words of the deity to the people. Pharaoh represents the world at large. Pharaoh hears a message from Moses, told through Aaron, much as the world hears a message from God, told through prophets.

This continues a section of reassurance (Exodus 6:1). God's plan is established and cannot fail (Job 42:2). Moses and Aaron will obey (Exodus 7:6) despite their advanced age (Exodus 7:7).

Exodus 7:1–7 completes the encouragement and summary which began in chapter 6. God intends to free Israel (Exodus 1:11–14) through spectacular miracles. These will demonstrate His power. Moses and Aaron (Exodus 4:14–16) will obey, despite both men being more than eighty years old.

God again repeats (Exodus 3:19–20; 4:19–23; 6:6) the basic outline of how Israel will be freed from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 1:11–14). He then commands Moses and Aaron to show Pharaoh one of the miraculous signs given for that purpose (Exodus 4:2–5). Egyptian magicians seem to duplicate the feat, so Pharaoh still refuses to hear Mo-ses' message. This results in the first plague: all water in Egypt, including the Nile river, becomes blood. This lasts seven days. The Lord then tells Moses to repeat the demand for Israel's release.

God commissioned Moses (Exodus 3:10) and commanded him to confront Egypt's ruler, the pharaoh (Exodus 4:19–23). When Moses obeyed (Exodus 5:1–3), the immediate result was even worse oppression for Israel (Exodus 5:19–21). This inspired Moses to doubt (Exodus 5:22–23). The Lord responded with reassurances (Exodus 6:1–8). Chapter 7 completes this declaration and begins the cycle of plagues (Exodus 3:19–20), starting with turning the Nile river into blood. These catastrophes will continue (Exodus 8—11) until Pharaoh finally releases the Israelites (Exodus 12:41).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.