Exodus 7:9

"When Pharaoh tells you, 'Perform a miracle,' you are to say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,' and it will become a serpent."

Study Bible

When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’
This phrase sets the stage for a confrontation between the power of God and the authority of Pharaoh, who was considered a god in Egyptian culture. The demand for a miracle reflects the Egyptian belief in magic and the supernatural. In the biblical narrative, miracles serve as signs of divine authority and power, distinguishing the true God from false gods. This request for a miracle is reminiscent of other biblical instances where signs are requested, such as in 1 Kings 18:24, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal.

you are to say to Aaron,
Aaron, Moses' brother, serves as his spokesperson due to Moses' reluctance and claimed lack of eloquence (Exodus 4:10-16). This partnership highlights the importance of obedience and teamwork in fulfilling God's commands. Aaron's role as a priestly figure foreshadows the Levitical priesthood, which he would later lead, and points to the mediatory role of Christ as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).

‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’
The staff is a symbol of authority and power, often used by shepherds, which Moses was before his calling. In biblical symbolism, the staff represents God's guidance and protection (Psalm 23:4). The act of throwing it down signifies a challenge to Pharaoh's authority and the beginning of God's direct intervention in Egypt. This act prefigures the power of Christ, who would later demonstrate authority over nature and spiritual forces (Mark 4:39, Luke 10:19).

and it will become a serpent.
The transformation of the staff into a serpent is significant in the Egyptian context, where serpents were symbols of power and protection, often associated with the Pharaoh himself. This miracle directly challenges the Egyptian magicians and their supposed powers, as seen later in the narrative (Exodus 7:11-12). The serpent also recalls the Genesis account of the fall (Genesis 3), symbolizing sin and rebellion, which Christ ultimately conquers. The imagery of the serpent is later redeemed in the bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the wilderness, a type of Christ's crucifixion (John 3:14-15).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, representing opposition to God's will and a hardened heart against the Israelites.

2. Moses
God's chosen leader to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, acting as God's spokesperson.

3. Aaron
Moses' brother, who serves as his spokesperson and performs miracles with the staff.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites are enslaved, representing a place of oppression and idolatry.

5. The Staff
A symbol of God's power and authority, used to perform miracles and demonstrate God's supremacy.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Power
The transformation of the staff into a serpent is a demonstration of God's control over creation and His ability to perform miracles.

Faith in Action
Moses and Aaron's obedience in performing the miracle reflects their trust in God's instructions, encouraging believers to act in faith even when facing opposition.

Confronting Hard Hearts
Pharaoh's demand for a miracle highlights the challenge of dealing with hardened hearts, reminding us to pray for softened hearts and open minds to God's truth.

Symbolism of the Staff
The staff represents God's authority and presence, teaching us to rely on God's power rather than our own strength in spiritual battles.

Miracles as a Testimony
Miracles serve as a testimony to God's power and purpose, encouraging believers to share their experiences of God's work in their lives as a witness to others.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the transformation of the staff into a serpent demonstrate God's power and authority in your life today?

2. In what ways can you act in faith like Moses and Aaron when facing challenges or opposition?

3. How can you pray for and engage with those who have hardened hearts towards the Gospel, similar to Pharaoh?

4. What are some "staffs" or ordinary things in your life that God might use for His extraordinary purposes?

5. How can you share your personal experiences of God's power as a testimony to others, similar to the miracles performed before Pharaoh?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 4:2-4
This passage describes the initial sign given to Moses, where his staff becomes a serpent, establishing a pattern of God using ordinary objects for extraordinary purposes.

Numbers 17:8
Aaron's staff buds, further demonstrating God's choice and power through miraculous signs.

Matthew 12:38-39
Jesus addresses the demand for signs, emphasizing faith over the need for miracles, which connects to Pharaoh's demand for a miracle as a test of God's power.