What is the meaning of Exodus 7:22? But the magicians of Egypt did the same things by their magic arts • The court magicians duplicated the water-to-blood sign (Exodus 7:11-12). Whether by sleight of hand or dark spiritual power (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 16:14), their mimicry was enough to bolster Pharaoh’s pride. • Scripture affirms that counterfeit wonders can appear convincing (Deuteronomy 13:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:8-9), yet they never match the scope or purpose of God’s true miracles. • God allowed this imitation to expose the poverty of Egypt’s gods and to heighten the contrast once His judgments escalated (Exodus 8:18-19). So Pharaoh’s heart was hardened • The hardening was both self-chosen and judicial; Pharaoh persistently resisted, and God confirmed that resistance (Exodus 7:13; 9:12; Romans 9:17-18). • A hard heart locks a person into rebellion, shutting out the warnings that should lead to repentance (Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:13). • Each plague offered Pharaoh another chance, but he doubled down, illustrating the peril of ignoring God’s patience (Proverbs 29:1). …and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron • Refusal to listen equates to rejecting God Himself, since Moses and Aaron spoke the Lord’s exact words (Exodus 5:2; Luke 10:16). • Throughout Scripture, deafness to God’s messengers precedes judgment (2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Acts 7:51). • Listening is more than hearing; it involves submission and obedience (James 1:22-24). …just as the LORD had said • God foretold this stubborn response before Moses ever returned to Egypt (Exodus 4:21; 7:3-4). • His foreknowledge underscores His sovereignty; nothing in the narrative catches Him off guard (Isaiah 46:9-10; John 13:19). • The phrase confirms the absolute reliability of God’s word—every detail unfolds exactly as spoken (Joshua 23:14). summary Exodus 7:22 reveals that counterfeit power can imitate but never rival God’s acts. Pharaoh’s choice to cling to the magicians’ tricks led to a divinely reinforced hardness of heart, silencing any inclination to heed God’s servants. The verse highlights the danger of valuing deceptive signs over revealed truth and showcases the unerring certainty of God’s prior word. |
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