Exodus 7:20 – “Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Exodus 7:20 describes the moment when Moses and Aaron, following God’s command, performed the first of the ten plagues on Egypt. In obedience to God’s instructions, Aaron raised his staff and struck the waters of the Nile River in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials. As a result, all the water in the Nile was miraculously transformed into blood.
This verse captures the act of obedience on the part of Moses and Aaron, who acted as God’s representatives. Their actions directly challenged the power of Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating that the God of Israel was the true sovereign. The transformation of the Nile’s waters into blood served as a powerful sign of God’s judgment on Egypt for their oppression of the Israelites and their refusal to recognize God’s authority.
Historical Context
The historical context of Exodus 7:20 is rooted in the life of ancient Egypt, where the Nile River was the cornerstone of the nation’s economy and daily life. The Nile was essential for drinking water, agriculture, transportation, and even religious practices. Many of the Egyptian deities were associated with the Nile, and Pharaoh himself was regarded as a god who had control over the land and its resources.
In this context, the plague that turned the Nile into blood was a direct assault on the very heart of Egypt’s power and identity. It showed that the gods of Egypt, including Pharaoh, were powerless before the God of Israel. This event was the first of many signs that would lead to the eventual liberation of the Israelites from slavery, showing that God was working on their behalf to fulfill His promises.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Exodus 7:20 highlights several important truths about God. First, it underscores God’s absolute sovereignty over nature. By turning the Nile into blood, God demonstrated that He has control over all creation, including the elements that people depend on for life. This was a direct challenge to the Egyptians’ belief in their gods and their reliance on the Nile.
Second, the verse illustrates the importance of obedience to God’s commands. Moses and Aaron did exactly as God instructed, and through their obedience, God’s power was revealed. This emphasizes the principle that God often works through the faithful actions of His people to accomplish His purposes.
Finally, the transformation of the Nile into blood serves as a reminder of the reality of God’s judgment. The plagues were not random acts of destruction but were purposeful judgments against a nation that had hardened its heart against God. They served as both a warning and a demonstration of God’s justice.
Literary Analysis
From a literary perspective, Exodus 7:20 is a key moment in the narrative of the Exodus story. The verse is structured to emphasize the obedience of Moses and Aaron, as well as the immediacy of God’s power. The phrase “just as the Lord had commanded” highlights the faithfulness of God’s servants, while the transformation of the water into blood serves as the dramatic fulfillment of God’s warning to Pharaoh.
The imagery of the Nile turning into blood is powerful and evocative. Blood is a symbol of life, but here it becomes a symbol of death and judgment. This reversal of the natural order is meant to shock and awe both the Egyptians and the Israelites, demonstrating that God’s power transcends the ordinary and the expected.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
Several other biblical passages connect with the themes found in Exodus 7:20:
- Psalm 105:29 – “He turned their waters into blood, causing their fish to die.” This psalm reflects on the plagues as acts of God’s judgment and power.
- Revelation 16:4-6 – “The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: ‘You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.’” This passage in Revelation mirrors the judgment seen in Exodus, highlighting the justice of God’s actions.
- Hebrews 11:28 – “By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” This reference to the Passover, which follows the plagues, emphasizes the protective and redemptive role of blood in God’s plan for His people.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Exodus 7:20 is a reminder of the power and authority of God. It challenges believers to recognize that God is sovereign over all aspects of life, including the natural world and the forces that govern it. The verse also encourages Christians to live in obedience to God’s commands, trusting that He will work through their faithfulness to accomplish His purposes.
This verse also serves as a call to take God’s judgment seriously. While we often focus on God’s love and mercy, Exodus 7:20 reminds us that God is also a righteous judge who acts against sin and rebellion. This should lead believers to a deeper sense of reverence for God and a commitment to living in a way that honors Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Exodus 7:20, while depicting a severe act of judgment, also reveals God’s love in His commitment to justice and His desire to deliver His people. God’s actions were aimed at freeing the Israelites from their oppression and fulfilling His covenant promises to them. This act of judgment was necessary to break the power of Egypt and demonstrate that God alone is worthy of worship and obedience.
God’s love is also seen in His patience and repeated warnings to Pharaoh. Each plague, including this one, was an opportunity for Pharaoh to repent and acknowledge God’s authority. Although the judgment was severe, it was also a means by which God sought to bring about repentance and the recognition of His sovereignty.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Exodus 7:20 connects to Jesus Christ in the theme of divine power and the use of miraculous signs to reveal God’s authority. Just as Moses and Aaron performed signs to demonstrate God’s power to Pharaoh, Jesus performed miracles to reveal His identity as the Son of God and to demonstrate the coming of God’s kingdom. In John 2:11, after turning water into wine, it is written, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.”
The imagery of blood in this verse also foreshadows the significance of blood in the New Testament, particularly the blood of Christ. While the blood in the Nile was a sign of judgment, the blood of Jesus is a sign of redemption and new life. In Matthew 26:28, Jesus says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Through His blood, Jesus brings life where there was once death, reversing the curse of sin and offering salvation to all who believe.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does the transformation of the Nile into blood challenge your understanding of God’s power and authority over all creation?
- Are there areas in your life where you need to respond more fully to God’s commands, trusting in His ability to work through your obedience?
- How can you maintain a balanced view of God’s love and His judgment, recognizing the importance of both in His character?
- What does this verse teach you about the seriousness of rebellion against God’s authority, and how can you apply this understanding to your own life?
- How does the connection between the blood in Exodus and the blood of Christ deepen your appreciation for the redemption and new life offered through Jesus?