Exodus 7:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the Lord commanded them.

NIV: Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them.

NASB: So Moses and Aaron did this; as the Lord commanded them, so they did.

CSB: So Moses and Aaron did this; they did just as the Lord commanded them.

NLT: So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them.

KJV: And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them, so did they.

NKJV: Then Moses and Aaron did so; just as the Lord commanded them, so they did.

While these words are simple, they imply a remarkable level of trust. Moses and Aaron are being told to return (Exodus 7:1–5) to the Egyptian ruler who rudely rejected their first request (Exodus 5:1–9) with spite and retaliation (Exodus 5:19–21). As the following verse notes, these are not young men (Exodus 7:7). Yet they put themselves in danger by challenging an incredibly powerful ruler—because the Lord told them to do so (Exodus 7:2). Despite nothing going right for Israel so far, the two men will act according to faith.

The next several chapters are dramatic. Moses and Aaron announce the Lord's plagues on Egypt; sometimes, they are called on to physically trigger those catastrophes. Yet they are not the source of power—they are simply obeying God. This theme will continue after Israel is freed (Exodus 12:41) and needs guidance in the wilderness (Psalm 77:20).

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.

Accessed 6/30/2025 6:09:28 PM