MPV Commentary

1. The Lord said to Moses, "I have made you a god," appointing him as God's representative to act and speak in His name, performing things beyond the ordinary course of nature.

This was not a request for Moses to assume divine authority but rather to exercise his role as God's ambassador. Aaron, Moses' brother, would serve as his interpreter or spokesman throughout this process.

2. I will harden Pharaoh's heart, making him obstinate in his refusal to let the Israelites go. The divine message would be the occasion for this hardness of heart, not its cause.

3-5. I may lay my hand upon Egypt, bringing severe judgments that demonstrate the supremacy of Israel's God. These plagues would serve as a warning to Pharaoh and the Egyptians of the power of the true God.

7. Moses was eighty years old when he began this work, an advanced age that testified to their commitment and reliance on divine support. They were not rash or impulsive in their actions but rather guided by God's hand.

9. When Pharaoh speaks to you, demand evidence of your divine mission. As representatives of the true God, they would perform miracles to demonstrate their authority. The rod of Moses was a symbol of his office and authority, as rods were carried by nobles and officials in the Egyptian court.

10. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, demonstrating its power to change into a serpent. This miracle was intended to convince Pharaoh of their divine mission.

11. Then Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers to see if this was a work of divine power or merely a magical trick. The magicians of Egypt were skilled in charming serpents and could make them appear stiff and immovable, but they were unable to counter Aaron's miracle.

12. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods, demonstrating the superiority of God's power over their magic. This was a devastating blow to Pharaoh's confidence in his magicians.

14. Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he becomes more obstinate in his refusal to let the Israelites go. He concludes that Aaron's miracle was just another magical trick, and his magicians are unable to counter it.

15. Get thee unto Pharaoh; now begins a series of appalling miracles that demonstrate God's supremacy over all the gods of Egypt. These plagues would be a severe judgment on the Egyptians for their refusal to acknowledge the true God.

16-17. In the morning, Moses goes out to the water, which is to be the subject of the first plague. He is ordered to raise his rod and smite the waters, turning them into blood.

18-21. Aaron lifted up the rod and struck the water, causing it to become blood red in color. This was a severe calamity for the Egyptians, as their favorite beverage became undrinkable, and the fish were destroyed. The plague extended to all the streams, rivers, canals, ponds, and pools, leaving the people with severe thirst.

22. The magicians attempted to imitate this miracle by using their enchantments, but they could only produce a small sample of water dyed red. This was sufficient for Pharaoh to turn unmoved and go to his house, refusing to acknowledge God's power.