Exodus

Exodus 7: God makes His power known

Begin in prayer

Before we see the river changed to blood, let us humble ourselves before the God who makes Himself known. Ask Him to expose the false powers we trust and to show us His saving power in Christ.

that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83:18

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us that Your word has authority over kings. Bring us to know Your holiness and the mercy of Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God tells Moses that Pharaoh will not listen and that His judgments will bring Israel out. Moses and Aaron obey, standing before Pharaoh at eighty and eighty-three years old. Aaron's rod becomes a serpent, and although the magicians do the same, his rod swallows their rods. Pharaoh still refuses to listen. God sends Moses to the river and commands that Egypt's waters become blood. The fish die, the river stinks, and the Egyptians dig for water while Pharaoh turns back to his house.

As you read Exodus 7, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God makes His power known through judgment and will bring His people out.

Pharaoh once asked who the LORD was that he should obey Him. God answers through acts that make Egypt know His name. Moses speaks with authority given by God, and Aaron carries that message as his spokesman. Neither man becomes divine. God's announced hardening of Pharaoh's heart belongs with His plan to multiply signs and bring Israel out by judgments. The magicians imitate the sign of the serpent, but Aaron's rod swallows theirs. They also imitate the blood, leaving Egypt's need unanswered. The river that sustained the land becomes foul, its fish die, and the people must dig for drinking water. The king's refusal cannot stop the holy God from making Himself known.

How does Exodus 7 show us that God makes His power known through judgment and will bring His people out?

God's word gives His messengers authority before Pharaoh.

Moses must speak everything God commands, and Aaron must tell Pharaoh. The authority belongs to the God who sends them. The eternal Son speaks with the Father's authority and makes Him known.

The magicians cannot overthrow God's power.

Their rods become serpents, as Aaron's did. Then Aaron's rod swallows theirs. Their imitation leaves them beneath the power of the God whom Pharaoh refuses to obey.

God strikes the water Pharaoh's people need.

The river becomes blood and the fish die, just as God said. Pharaoh's magicians produce the same sign without giving Egypt relief. The judgment shows why sinners need a Savior who can remove guilt before this holy God.

Memorise

The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh, when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

Exodus 7:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what false refuge keeps me from coming to Jesus?

God tells Pharaoh, “In this you shall know that I am Yahweh.” The river becomes blood, and the king turns away. Seeing God's power does not make a hardened heart bow before Him.

We too have resisted the God who gives us life. His judgment is righteous, and guilt cannot be removed by hiding from His word. Jesus took the death His people owed when He died at the cross. He rose victorious, having accomplished everything needed for their salvation. His offering is enough to bring guilty people before God without condemnation.

Do not turn away with Pharaoh. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. The repentant believer receives forgiveness through Him. God's power that humbles the proud is also the power that keeps those who take refuge in His Son.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's judgment is real, and that the crucified and risen Jesus is the only refuge from it. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His power defeats every rival and will accomplish His rescue, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,

John 5:22

God of all the earth, thank You for making Your power known. Please forgive our resistance to Your word. Lead us to repent and trust Jesus, whose sacrifice is enough. Keep us from trusting impressive things that cannot save, and teach us to honor Your name. Amen.