Bible Commentary

Exodus 7:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Once more God made allowance for the weakness and self-distrust of Moses, severely tried as he had been by his former failure to persuade Pharaoh () and his recent rejection by the people of Israel ().

He made allowance, and raised his courage and his spirits by fresh promises, and by a call upon him for immediate action. The process of deliverance, God assured him, was just about to begin. Miracles would be wrought until Pharaoh's stubbornness was overcome.

He was himself to begin the series at once by casting his rod upon the ground, that it might become a serpent (). From this point Moses' diffidence wholly disappears. Once launched upon his Heaven-directed course, assured of his miraculous powers, committed to a struggle with the powerful Egyptian king, he persevered without blenching or wavering until success crowned his efforts.

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 7:1-7God glorifies himself. He makes people know that he is Jehovah. Israel is made to know it by the performance of his promises to them, and the Egyptians by the pouring out of his wrath upon them. Moses, as the ambassador…Matthew HenrycommentaryMoses Receives a Fresh Commission. (b. c. 1491.)MOSES RECEIVES A FRESH COMMISSION. (B. C. 1491.) Here, I. God encourages Moses to go to Pharaoh, and at last silences all his discouragements. 1. He clothes him with great power and authority (Exodus 7:1): I have made t…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1-9EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1I have made thee a god to Pharaoh. Moses was diffident of appearing a second time before Pharaoh, who was so much his worldly superior. God reminds him that he is in truth very much Pharaoh's superior. If Pharaoh has ea…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1-8A god to Pharaoh. Moses was in the trying position of being sent out anew upon a mission in which hitherto he had not had the slightest particle of success. His discouragement was natural. Pharaoh, on a previous occasio…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:2Thou shalt speak. The Septuagint and the Vulgate have, "Thou shalt speak to him," which undoubtedly gives the true sense. Moses was to speak to Aaron, Aaron to Pharaoh. (See Exodus 4:15, Exodus 4:16.)Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:3-5The fierceness of man turns to God's praise. The most signal triumphs of Divine power are those in which the resistance to it is the most determined. The greatest of all victories was probably that which was gained when…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:3I will harden Pharaoh's heart. See the comment on Exodus 4:21. And multiply my signs and my wonders. The idea of a long series of miracles is here, for the first time, distinctly introduced. Three signs had been given (…Joseph S. Exell and contributors