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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 7:1–7.
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 (Exo 7:1): I have made thee a god to Pharaoh; that is, my representative in this affair, as magistrates are called gods, because they are God's viceregents. He was authorized to speak and act in God's name and stead, and, under the divine direction, was endued with a divine power to do that which is above the ordinary power of nature, and invested with a divine authority to demand obedience from a sovereign prince and punish disobedience. Moses was a god, but he was only a made god, not essentially one by nature; he was no god but by commission. He was a god, but he was a god only to Pharaoh; the living and true God is a God to all the world. It is an instance of God's condescension, and an evidence that his thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace, that when he treats with men he treats by men, whose terror shall not make us afraid. 2. He again nominates him an assistant, his brother Aaron, who was not a man of uncircumcised lips, but a notable spokesman: "He shall be thy prophet," that is, "he shall speak from thee to Pharaoh, as prophets do from God to the children of men. Thou shalt, as a god, inflict and remove the plagues, and Aaron, as a prophet, shall denounce them, and threaten Pharaoh with them." 3. He tells him the worst of it, that Pharaoh would not hearken to him, and yet the work should be done at last, Israel should be delivered and God therein would be glorified, Exo 7:4, Exo 7:5. The Egyptians, who would not know the Lord, should be made to know him. Note, It is, and ought to be, satisfaction enough to God's messengers that, whatever contradiction and opposition may be given them, thus far they shall gain their point, that God will be glorified in the success of their embassy, and all his chosen Israel will be saved, and then they have no reason to say that they have laboured in vain. See here, (1.) How God glorifies himself; he makes people know that he is Jehovah. Israel is made to know it by the performance of his promises to them (Exo 6:3), and the Egyptians are made to know it by the pouring out of his wrath upon them. Thus God's name is exalted both in those that are saved and in those that perish. (2.) What method he takes to do this: he humbles the proud, and exalts the poor, Luk 1:51, Luk 1:52. If God stretch out his hand to sinners in vain, he will at last stretch out his hand upon them; and who can bear the weight of it?
II.Moses and Aaron apply themselves to their work without further objection:
They did as the Lord commanded them, Exo 7:6. Their obedience, all things considered, was well worthy to be celebrated, as it is by the Psalmist (Psa 105:28), They rebelled not against his word, namely, Moses and Aaron, whom he mentions, v. 26. Thus Jonah, though at first he was very averse, at length went to Nineveh. Notice is taken of the age of Moses and Aaron when they undertook this glorious service. Aaron the elder (and yet the inferior in office) was eighty-three, Moses was eighty; both of them men of great gravity and experience, whose age was venerable, and whose years might teach wisdom, v. 7. Joseph, who was to be only a servant to Pharaoh, was preferred at thirty years old; but Moses, who was to be a god to Pharaoh, was not so dignified until he was eighty years old. It was fit that he should long wait for such an honour, and be long in preparing for such a service.
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Summary
Exodus 7:4 serves as a profound declaration of divine sovereignty, revealing God's pre-emptive knowledge and strategic intent concerning Pharaoh's hardened heart. This verse establishes that Pharaoh's resistance is not an unforeseen obstacle but a divinely orchestrated means by which God will unleash overwhelming judgments upon Egypt, thereby demonstrating His supreme authority and securing the miraculous liberation of His people, Israel, whom He designates as His "armies." It underscores God's active role in history, ensuring His glory is fully revealed through dramatic intervention.
Context
Literary Context
This divine pronouncement to Moses and Aaron immediately precedes the commencement of the ten plagues. It follows their initial, unsuccessful confrontation with Pharaoh in Exodus 5, where Pharaoh not only refused to release Israel but also intensified their forced labor, making their lives more bitter. God's declaration in Exodus 6:1-8 had already reaffirmed His covenant promises and His intention to deliver Israel with a "strong hand" and "great judgments." Exodus 7:4, therefore, acts as a crucial bridge, setting the stage for the escalating conflict by explaining why Pharaoh's heart will be hardened and what God intends to achieve through this resistance, thereby framing the subsequent plagues as deliberate acts of divine revelation rather than reactive responses.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Egypt was a highly centralized, polytheistic society, with Pharaoh considered a divine king, an embodiment of the gods (particularly Ra or Horus). His word was law, and his power was absolute. The Israelites were an enslaved minority, their labor vital to the Egyptian economy. The concept of a foreign deity challenging Pharaoh's authority and the power of the Egyptian pantheon was utterly audacious and unthinkable from an Egyptian perspective. The impending "judgments" (plagues) were not just natural disasters but direct assaults on specific Egyptian deities and the very fabric of their cosmic order, designed to demonstrate the supremacy of Yahweh over all false gods and human rulers, thereby dismantling Egypt's spiritual and political foundations.
Key Themes
Exodus 7:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of Divine Sovereignty, demonstrating that God is utterly in control, even over the will of the most powerful human ruler. Pharaoh's obstinacy is not an impediment but a catalyst for God's greater plan to display His might, as seen throughout the narrative, particularly in Exodus 9:16. Secondly, the verse introduces the theme of Judgment as Revelation, where God's acts of judgment serve to reveal His unique identity and power to both Egyptians and Israelites, leading to the repeated declaration, "that you may know that I am the Lord" (e.g., Exodus 7:5). Lastly, it highlights the theme of God's Covenant Faithfulness and Redemptive Purpose, as He prepares to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by delivering His people, whom He here redefines as "mine armies," from bondage to freedom, a promise reiterated in Exodus 6:6-8.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This word, often translated "hand," carries a rich semantic range, frequently signifying power, authority, means, or agency. In this context, "lay my hand upon Egypt" is an anthropomorphism emphasizing God's direct, forceful, and decisive intervention. It implies a personal act of overwhelming power and judgment, not an indirect allowance or passive observation. God Himself will act with an undeniable display of strength against the nation of Egypt.
This term, often translated "hosts" (as in "Lord of hosts" or "Yahweh Sebaoth"), refers to a mass of persons, especially those organized for war. Its application to the enslaved Israelites is profoundly significant. It transforms their identity from a subjugated, scattered, and oppressed group into a divinely organized and disciplined force, ready to march out under God's supreme command. This redefinition underscores their special covenant relationship with God and His active role as their Commander, preparing them for a divinely orchestrated exodus, not merely an escape.
Derived from a verb meaning "to judge" or "to govern," this word refers to a sentence or an infliction. Here, "great judgments" emphasizes that the impending plagues are not random calamities but precise, targeted demonstrations of God's authority, justice, and power. They are divine acts of retribution and revelation, specifically against the gods of Egypt and the oppressive regime, ensuring that both Egyptians and Israelites would unequivocally "know that I am the Lord."
Verse Breakdown
"But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you"
This initial clause highlights God's divine foreknowledge and intentionality. Pharaoh's resistance is not an unforeseen obstacle to God's plan but a divinely permitted, even orchestrated, means by which God's power will be magnified. This sets the stage for the dramatic escalation of divine judgments, ensuring that God's glory is fully revealed.
"that I may lay my hand upon Egypt"
This phrase signifies God's direct, forceful, and decisive intervention in the affairs of the nation. It implies a personal act of judgment, not an indirect allowance or passive observation. God Himself will act with overwhelming power against Egypt, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers.
"and bring forth mine armies, [and] my people the children of Israel"
Here, God redefines the enslaved Israelites. They are not merely a subjugated people but "mine armies" (Hebrew: tzva'ot), transforming their identity into a divinely organized and disciplined force, ready to march out under God's supreme command. This redefinition underscores their special covenant relationship with God and His active role as their Commander and Deliverer.
"out of the land of Egypt by great judgments"
The impending plagues are explicitly termed "great judgments," emphasizing their nature as divine acts of justice and power. They are not random calamities but precise, targeted demonstrations of God's authority over creation, over human rulers, and specifically against the gods of Egypt, ensuring that both Egyptians and Israelites would unequivocally "know that I am the Lord."
Literary Devices
Exodus 7:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, seen in the phrase "lay my hand upon Egypt." This attributes a human physical action to God, vividly portraying His direct, personal, and powerful intervention in human affairs, making His actions relatable while emphasizing His omnipotence. The designation of the enslaved Israelites as "mine armies" is a powerful instance of Symbolism and Metaphor. It transforms the perception of a downtrodden, disorganized people into a divinely ordered and formidable force, highlighting God's role as their Commander and the spiritual nature of their impending exodus. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a Divine Decree or Prophetic Foretelling, where God declares His future actions and their purpose with absolute certainty, underscoring His sovereignty and the inevitability of His plan despite human opposition.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 7:4 profoundly illustrates the unyielding sovereignty of God, demonstrating His absolute control over human will and historical events. Pharaoh's hardened heart, far from thwarting God's plan, becomes an integral part of it, serving as the very catalyst for the demonstration of divine power and justice. This reveals that God's judgments are not arbitrary acts of wrath but serve a redemptive and revelatory purpose, designed to reveal His power, justice, and unique identity to both His people and His adversaries. It also underscores God's unwavering covenant faithfulness, as He acts powerfully to deliver His people despite their prolonged bondage and the formidable defiance of their oppressor, transforming them into His divinely designated "armies" ready for liberation.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 7:4 offers profound reassurance regarding God's unwavering sovereignty, particularly in the face of seemingly insurmountable opposition or stubborn resistance. This verse reminds believers that God remains actively at work, meticulously orchestrating events according to His perfect and unyielding plan. His ultimate purposes will prevail, and He can strategically employ even human defiance to magnify His glory and accomplish His divine will. In our own lives, when we encounter stubborn obstacles, unyielding opposition, or situations that seem beyond human resolution, this truth calls us to trust implicitly in God's power to deliver. It encourages us to believe that He works all circumstances, even challenging and resistant ones, for the ultimate good of those who are called according to His purpose, ensuring that His name is glorified and His people are ultimately set free.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does God truly harden Pharaoh's heart, or does Pharaoh harden his own heart?
The biblical narrative presents both aspects, indicating a complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Initially, Pharaoh hardens his own heart in response to Moses's demands and the early plagues (Exodus 7:13). However, as the plagues progress and Pharaoh continues to resist, the text increasingly states that God hardens Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 9:12). Exodus 7:4 indicates God's purpose in allowing or actively causing this hardening—it is not arbitrary but serves to magnify God's power and ensure His name is proclaimed throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). This demonstrates God's sovereign control even over human will, turning resistance into an opportunity for divine revelation and the accomplishment of His redemptive plan.
Why does God refer to the enslaved Israelites as "mine armies"?
The term "mine armies" (Hebrew: tzva'ot, often translated "hosts") is a profound theological statement. It elevates the status of the oppressed Israelites from mere slaves to a divinely organized and disciplined host under God's direct command. It signifies their special covenant relationship with God and His intention to lead them out not as a fleeing rabble, but as a formidable, divinely appointed force. This redefinition underscores God's active role as their Commander and His ability to transform the weak and enslaved into instruments of His mighty will, destined to inherit His promises and serve Him as a holy nation.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 7:4, with its emphasis on God's sovereign control over resistance, His "great judgments," and the liberation of His "armies," finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God used Pharaoh's obstinacy to display His power and secure the physical liberation of Israel, Christ's triumph over the spiritual forces of darkness and sin demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty over all opposition. Through His crucifixion and resurrection—His decisive "judgments" against sin, death, and the powers of evil—Jesus liberates His people from spiritual bondage, bringing them forth as His new covenant "army" or church (Colossians 2:15). He is the true Commander who leads His people out of the dominion of darkness into His marvelous light (Colossians 1:13), fulfilling God's ancient promise of a complete and final deliverance. The "great judgments" of Exodus foreshadow the ultimate judgment of the cross, where God's justice and mercy converged, securing eternal freedom for all who believe, ushering them into a kingdom where Christ reigns supreme as Lord of all hosts (Philippians 2:9-11).