READ: Ex. 7:14–25: … And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded. So he lifted up the rod and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants. And all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood …
After the miracle of the staff becoming a serpent, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Therefore, God proceeds with His plagues—judgments that will affect the entire nation.
Before morning, Moses receives a new message from the LORD. With the staff that became a serpent, he must strike the Nile’s water at the spot where Pharaoh will be standing by the river.
First, Pharaoh must be told that he refused to listen. What follows is the LORD’s punishment, so that Pharaoh will know that God is the LORD. They must also say that striking the Nile with the staff will turn the water into blood.
Moses must first relay this to Aaron, and they carry out the command exactly as the LORD said, in Pharaoh’s sight.
The Nile provided much of Egypt’s water supply. Turning it to blood is therefore a major catastrophe. It becomes undrinkable, fish die, and the stench is overwhelming.
Aaron must also lift the staff over other sources—rivers, canals, ponds—so that all water becomes blood and no clean drinking water remains. Yet because the magicians can also turn water into blood, Pharaoh hardens his heart and leaves without listening.
Meanwhile, the Egyptians dig new wells to find drinking water, and after seven days the water will appear normal again.
Here the LORD shows that He has all power, even over nature. He controls life’s provisions—moisture and food. He gives and takes away. He provides and withdraws. Everything and everyone is subject to Him. He gives life and ends life in His time and His way. He opens hearts and closes hearts. He softens and hardens.
Does the devil still perform miracles?
Sing: Ps. 105:10