How does Exodus 7:10 connect to God's promises in Exodus 3:20? Setting the Scene Exodus 3 recounts God’s appearance to Moses at the burning bush. There, the Lord promises decisive, miraculous action against Egypt. Exodus 7 opens when Moses and Aaron finally stand before Pharaoh. The moment in 7:10 looks simple—Aaron’s staff becomes a serpent—but it is the opening stroke of a much larger fulfillment. Remembering God’s Promise in Exodus 3:20 • “So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them; after that, he will release you.” (Exodus 3:20) • Three core elements in the promise: – God’s personal intervention (“I will stretch out My hand”). – Supernatural “wonders” performed in Egypt. – Egypt ultimately letting Israel go. First Signs of Fulfillment in Exodus 7:10 • “So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded; Aaron threw his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent.” (Exodus 7:10) • The staff-to-serpent sign is the inaugural “wonder” God promised. • By obeying “just as the LORD had commanded,” Moses and Aaron become instruments of the outstretched hand promised in 3:20. • The serpent—symbol of royal power in Egypt—now appears under God’s control, announcing judgment on Egypt’s false security. Key Parallels Between Promise and Fulfillment • Promise: “I will stretch out My hand.” Fulfillment: The staff (often called “the rod of God,” Exodus 4:20) functions as the physical extension of that hand. • Promise: “Strike the Egyptians with all the wonders.” Fulfillment: The serpent sign is the first in a series (blood, frogs, gnats, etc.), all introduced by staff actions (Exodus 7–12). • Promise: “After that, he will release you.” Fulfillment: Each wonder intensifies until Pharaoh finally drives Israel out (Exodus 12:31-33). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Exodus 4:2-5—God already transformed the staff into a serpent for Moses, previewing the public sign. • Exodus 7:5—God states His purpose: “The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out My hand against Egypt.” • Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 10:23; Luke 1:37—affirming that every word God speaks is certain. Theological Takeaways • God’s promises are literal and time-bound; when He speaks of “wonders,” real historical wonders occur. • Obedience positions God’s people to witness His faithfulness. Moses and Aaron’s compliance in 7:10 directly links to the promise in 3:20. • The staff becomes a testimony tool: a simple shepherd’s stick turned instrument of divine power, illustrating how God uses ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Covenant Faithfulness for Today The move from Exodus 3:20 to 7:10 proves that God never issues empty promises. When He says He will act, He acts—then and now. Believers can rest in the same reliability that carried Israel out of bondage, confident that the God who “stretched out His hand” in Egypt still stretches it out on behalf of His people (Isaiah 59:1). |
    |