Overview
Exodus 7 marks the escalation of the conflict between God and Pharaoh. God reassures Moses that although Pharaoh will be stubborn, He will multiply His signs and wonders in Egypt. Moses and Aaron are commanded to confront Pharaoh again; this time, Aaron's staff miraculously turns into a serpent as a demonstration of God's power. However, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened as his magicians replicate the miracle through their secret arts. The chapter ends with the first of the ten plagues - the turning of the Nile's water into blood, a sign of judgment against Egypt and its gods. Despite this, Pharaoh's heart remains unchanged, setting the pattern for the plagues that follow. This chapter highlights themes of divine authority, the struggle for liberation, and the consequences of a hardened heart against God's will.