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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 7:6 succinctly records the unwavering and precise obedience of Moses and Aaron to the divine directives, marking a pivotal moment just before the onset of the ten plagues. Their immediate and complete compliance underscores their profound faith in God's sovereign authority and sets the indispensable foundation for the unfolding of His mighty acts of deliverance against Egypt.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as a crucial transition point in the narrative of the Book of Exodus, specifically bridging the initial confrontations with Pharaoh and the dramatic commencement of the plagues. Following their commission at the burning bush, Moses and Aaron have navigated their own hesitations and Pharaoh's initial resistance, culminating in the performance of the sign of Aaron's rod becoming a serpent before the Egyptian court in Exodus 7:8-13. Their obedience here in Exodus 7:6 confirms their readiness and God's absolute control, preparing the reader for the escalating divine judgments that will follow, beginning with the transformation of the Nile into blood in Exodus 7:14-25.
Historical & Cultural Context
Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic society where Pharaoh was revered as a divine king, a living god, and the embodiment of the nation's strength and prosperity. The confrontation between Yahweh and Pharaoh was not merely political but a cosmic battle between the one true God and the pantheon of Egyptian deities, embodied by Pharaoh himself. The plagues, therefore, were direct assaults on specific Egyptian gods and their domains, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy. Moses and Aaron, as representatives of Yahweh, were challenging the very foundation of Egyptian religious and political power. Their obedience, as described in this verse, was an act of profound faith and courage in a context where disobedience to Pharaoh could mean immediate death.
Key Themes
Exodus 7:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Exodus. Foremost is the theme of Divine Sovereignty, as God's commands are executed without question, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all earthly powers, including the might of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. It also highlights the theme of Obedience as a Prerequisite for Divine Action, showing that God works through faithful human instruments. Moses and Aaron's compliance is foundational for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel, which is a central theme of Deliverance and Redemption. Their actions in this verse embody the principle that true faith is demonstrated through active and immediate submission to God's revealed will, paving the way for the Exodus itself.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root signifies to "do or make" in the broadest sense, encompassing actions, accomplishments, and the execution of tasks. Here, it emphasizes the active and complete performance of God's instructions by Moses and Aaron, indicating not just an intention but a full enactment of the divine will.
This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." Its use here underscores that the commands issued to Moses and Aaron came from the ultimate, sovereign authority, the God who is, who was, and who is to come.
This root means to "constitute" or "enjoin," implying a directive that is authoritative and binding. It denotes a clear, specific instruction given with the expectation of full compliance, highlighting the divine origin and non-negotiable nature of the orders given to Moses and Aaron.
Verse Breakdown
"And Moses and Aaron did"
This opening phrase immediately establishes the agents of action, Moses and Aaron, who are now fully aligned with God's purpose. The verb "did" (Hebrew: ʻâsâh') signifies not merely an intention but a complete and active performance of the task at hand, demonstrating their commitment following previous hesitations.
"as the LORD commanded them"
This crucial clause provides the standard and source of their action. Their doing was not arbitrary or self-initiated but was precisely in accordance with the directives given by Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. It emphasizes the divine origin and authority behind their mission.
"so did they"
This concluding phrase serves as a powerful affirmation and rhetorical reinforcement of the preceding statement. The repetition of "did" (Hebrew: ʻâsâh') highlights the exactness, completeness, and immediate nature of their obedience. It underscores that their actions perfectly mirrored God's commands, without deviation, delay, or compromise, thereby validating their role as faithful intermediaries.
Literary Devices
The concise declaration in Exodus 7:6 employs several effective literary devices to amplify its message. Most prominent is Repetition and Parallelism, particularly in the structure "did as the LORD commanded them, so did they." The reiteration of the verb "did" (ʻâsâh') creates a powerful sense of Emphasis, underscoring the absolute and unreserved nature of Moses and Aaron's obedience. This emphasis is not mere redundancy but a rhetorical strategy to highlight the perfect alignment between divine command and human action. The verse also utilizes Conciseness, delivering a profound theological statement with remarkable brevity, making the act of obedience stand out as a definitive and foundational event. This succinctness contributes to the verse's declarative force, firmly establishing the faithfulness of God's servants before the ensuing dramatic events.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 7:6 encapsulates a foundational theological principle: the necessity and efficacy of obedience to divine command. It asserts God's absolute Sovereignty and the requirement for His chosen instruments to align perfectly with His will. This verse establishes a pattern seen throughout biblical history, where God's mighty acts are often predicated upon the faithful response of His people. The unreserved compliance of Moses and Aaron is not just a historical note but a theological statement about the nature of a true relationship with God—one characterized by trust, submission, and active participation in His redemptive purposes. Their obedience here is the critical pivot upon which the entire narrative of the plagues and the deliverance of Israel turns, demonstrating that God empowers those who faithfully obey.
Reflection and Application
For contemporary believers, Exodus 7:6 serves as a timeless paradigm for discipleship. Just as Moses and Aaron's unreserved obedience was the conduit through which God's power flowed to liberate Israel, our willing submission to God's revealed will is essential for His purposes to be realized in and through our lives. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to active, immediate, and complete compliance with divine commands, even when the path is unclear or requires significant personal sacrifice. It encourages a deep trust in God's wisdom and sovereign plan, reminding us that true faith is demonstrated not only by what we believe but by how we obey. In a world that often prioritizes personal autonomy, this passage calls us to embrace a radical obedience that reflects our love for and reliance upon our Creator, knowing that such obedience is the fertile ground for God's transformative work.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Moses and Aaron's obedience so explicitly stated in this verse?
The explicit statement in Exodus 7:6 serves to underscore the completeness and exactness of their compliance. It highlights that their actions were a direct and faithful execution of God's will, without deviation or hesitation. This emphasis reinforces God's absolute authority and establishes the reliability of His chosen servants, setting the stage for the powerful demonstrations of His sovereignty that follow. It assures the reader that the ensuing plagues are not random events but divinely orchestrated judgments carried out through obedient human instruments.
Does the phrase "so did they" imply a lack of free will on the part of Moses and Aaron?
No, the phrase "so did they" does not imply a lack of free will, but rather emphasizes their willing and faithful submission to God's command. After initial hesitations and arguments recounted in earlier chapters (e.g., Exodus 3:11-13 and Exodus 4:1-17), this concise declaration signifies their full commitment and trust in God's wisdom and power. It demonstrates that their will had become perfectly aligned with God's, not through coercion, but through a profound and active choice to obey, a choice that enabled God's redemptive plan to unfold.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The perfect obedience of Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7:6 serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate and perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. While Moses and Aaron were faithful servants who, through their compliance, facilitated the first great Exodus from physical bondage in Egypt, Christ, as the eternal Son of God, perfectly fulfilled all the Father's commands, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). His flawless obedience, unlike any human obedience, was not merely a means to an end but the very essence of His redemptive work, securing the ultimate and eternal Exodus from the bondage of sin and death for all who believe (Romans 5:19). Jesus declared, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work," embodying the very principle of perfect obedience that Moses and Aaron imperfectly prefigured. Through Christ's singular act of obedience, God's redemptive plan is accomplished in its fullest and final sense, offering true freedom and new life to humanity (Hebrews 5:8-9).