Divine Communication Methods

What strikes you when you first read Exodus 7:1-13? Here we are, just thirteen verses into this pivotal chapter, and we encounter what might be one of the most dramatic role reversals in all of Scripture. Moses—the man who just chapters earlier was making excuse after excuse about why he couldn’t possibly speak to Pharaoh—is now being told by God, “See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh.”

How did we get here? What’s happening in this passage that transforms everything we’ve seen about Moses up to this point? And perhaps more importantly, what does this teach us about how God communicates with different people for different purposes?

Let’s walk through this text together and see what emerges.

The Transformation of Moses (verse 1)

“And the LORD said to Moses: ‘See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.'”

You see, this is God’s direct response to Moses’ repeated objections. Remember what Moses had been saying? Back in chapter 3, it was “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” In chapter 4, “I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” And just in the previous chapter, twice he complained about being “of uncircumcised lips”—essentially saying, “I can’t speak properly.”

God doesn’t argue with these objections. Instead, He transforms them. The Hebrew word elohim here—translated “god”—is fascinating. It’s the same word used for God Himself throughout Scripture, but here it’s applied to Moses in a representative sense. Moses isn’t becoming divine, but he’s being given divine authority to act as God’s representative before Pharaoh.

Notice how this connects to what we see throughout Scripture about divine representation. When Samuel anointed David as king, he was acting as God’s representative with divine authority (1 Samuel 16:13). When Jesus sent out the twelve, He told them, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (Matthew 10:40). Even Paul understood this principle when he wrote to the Corinthians, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

What’s interesting is how this addresses Moses’ specific concerns. Worried about not being eloquent enough? God makes him the divine representative—the one with ultimate authority. Worried about Aaron being the spokesman? Fine, Aaron will be the navi, the prophet who speaks Moses’ words. But Moses will carry the divine authority.

This is God’s pattern with those He calls to follow Him—He doesn’t just work around our weaknesses; He transforms them into platforms for His strength. We see this same principle when God told Gideon, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:14). The might wasn’t Gideon’s natural strength—it was the divine empowerment that came with the calling.

Clear Roles and Divine Strategy (verses 2-5)

“You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”

Notice how God lays out the entire strategy. This isn’t just about getting Israel out of Egypt—though that’s certainly part of it. God is orchestrating something much larger. He’s going to use Pharaoh’s resistance as an opportunity to display His character and power to Egypt and to the world.

But here’s where we need to pause and consider something profound: God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. This isn’t arbitrary divine manipulation. Paul helps us understand this in Romans 9:17-18, where he quotes this very passage: “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.’ Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.”

You see, this hardening follows a pattern we see throughout Scripture. When people persistently reject God’s revelation, He eventually gives them over to their chosen path. Isaiah experienced this when God told him, “Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and return and be healed” (Isaiah 6:10). Paul describes the same principle in 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, where God sends “strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Here’s the point: When God communicates with those He’s calling to follow Him, He doesn’t leave them in the dark about His larger purposes. Moses and Aaron aren’t just being sent on a diplomatic mission that might or might not work. They’re being invited into a divine drama where God will demonstrate His supremacy over the gods of Egypt.

The phrase “that the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” appears repeatedly throughout the Exodus narrative. This connects to the universal scope of God’s revelation. As the Psalmist declares, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You” (Psalm 22:27). This isn’t just about Israel’s liberation—it’s about universal recognition of God’s character and authority.

Human Obedience to Divine Clarity (verses 6-7)

“Then Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so they did. And Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.”

The repetition here—”they did as the LORD commanded them, so they did”—emphasizes their complete obedience. When God communicates clearly with those He’s calling, the natural response is faithful compliance. There’s no more arguing, no more excuses. Moses and Aaron simply do what God has commanded.

This reminds me of what we see in Deuteronomy 34:10-12, where Moses is described as the one “whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.” The foundation of Moses’ mighty works wasn’t his natural ability—it was his faithful obedience to clear divine communication.

The mention of their ages is significant too. These aren’t young men full of natural vigor and confidence. Moses is eighty, Aaron is eighty-three. Their obedience isn’t based on their own strength or abilities—it’s based on God’s clear communication and empowerment. This echoes what Paul would later write: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

The Credential Miracle (verses 8-9)

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ‘When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, “Show a miracle,” then you shall say to Aaron, “Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.”‘”

Now we see God’s communication method shift. With Moses and Aaron, He’s been direct, clear, empowering. But for Pharaoh, He prescribes a different approach—signs and wonders.

The Hebrew word ot here, translated “miracle,” literally means “sign.” It’s not just supernatural spectacle; it’s divine communication through miraculous acts. The sign serves as God’s credentials, authenticating His messengers and validating His message. This connects to the broader biblical pattern of signs as divine revelation. As Moses would later explain in Deuteronomy 4:34-35, “Or did God ever try to go and take for Himself a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.”

But why this particular sign? Why a staff becoming a serpent? In Egyptian culture, the serpent was a symbol of royal power and divine authority. The pharaoh’s crown featured the uraeus—the cobra—as a symbol of his divine right to rule. When Aaron’s staff becomes a serpent, God is communicating in symbols Pharaoh would immediately understand: “My authority supersedes yours.”

Here’s what’s fascinating: this staff miracle connects to a profound biblical theme. Remember when Moses first encountered God at the burning bush? His staff became a serpent there too (Exodus 4:3). Later, when the Israelites were dying from serpent bites in the wilderness, Moses would lift up a bronze serpent on a pole for healing (Numbers 21:8-9). Jesus Himself connected this to His crucifixion: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

You see, the serpent in Scripture represents both the curse of sin and God’s power to overcome that curse. When Aaron’s staff becomes a serpent and devours the Egyptian serpents, it’s a preview of God’s ultimate victory over the powers of darkness.

The Magicians’ Response (verses 10-12)

“So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”

Here’s where things get really interesting. The magicians can duplicate the miracle. At first glance, this might seem like a failure of God’s communication. If the point was to demonstrate divine supremacy, why allow the Egyptian magicians to match the miracle?

But you see, this is actually part of God’s strategy. The magicians’ initial success serves to make their ultimate failure more significant. They can produce serpents, but they can’t prevent Aaron’s serpent from devouring theirs. They can imitate divine power to a point, but they cannot overcome it.

This pattern of opposition to God’s servants appears throughout Scripture. When Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, they were able to work themselves into a frenzy and cut themselves until blood gushed out, but they couldn’t bring fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:26-29). When Daniel was taken to Babylon, the wise men and magicians had their own wisdom and abilities, but they couldn’t interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2:10-11).

The New Testament gives us even more insight into this pattern. Paul tells us that in the last days, people will have “a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). He specifically mentions that “as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith” (2 Timothy 3:8). These were likely the names of the Egyptian magicians we’re reading about right here in Exodus 7.

This pattern will continue throughout the plagues. The magicians will duplicate the first few signs, but their power will prove increasingly limited until they finally admit, “This is the finger of God” (8:19). Even in Acts, we see this same pattern when Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, only to be rebuked by Peter (Acts 8:18-24).

What’s God communicating here? To Pharaoh and Egypt, He’s demonstrating that their sources of power—their wise men, sorcerers, and magicians—are ultimately inadequate. They may have real power, but it’s limited power that cannot stand against divine authority.

The Hardened Heart (verse 13)

“And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.”

This is the fulfillment of God’s prediction from verse 3. Even after witnessing clear divine superiority—Aaron’s staff devouring the magicians’ staffs—Pharaoh’s heart remains resistant.

The Hebrew word for “grew hard” here is chazaq, which can mean to be strong, firm, or obstinate. Pharaoh’s heart doesn’t just fail to respond; it actively resists. This isn’t passive indifference but willful defiance.

But notice the phrase “as the LORD had said.” This hardening isn’t a surprise to God or a failure of His communication. It’s exactly what He predicted would happen. Pharaoh’s resistance is serving God’s larger purpose of providing opportunities to display His character and power.

This connects to a sobering biblical principle about progressive revelation and progressive hardening. When people consistently reject God’s truth, their hearts become increasingly resistant to it. Paul describes this process in Romans 1:21-28, where he explains how people who “knew God” but “did not glorify Him as God” were eventually “given over” to their chosen path of rebellion.

What’s God Teaching Us?

As we walk through this passage, several patterns emerge about how God communicates. With Moses and Aaron—those He’s calling to follow Him—His communication emphasizes empowerment, clarity, and preparation. He transforms their weaknesses into strengths, gives them clear roles and expectations, and prepares them for what they’ll face.

With Pharaoh—the one He’s confronting—His communication emphasizes authentication and progressive demonstration of power. The signs aren’t primarily meant to convince Pharaoh, though that opportunity exists. They’re meant to display God’s character and authority to Egypt and the world.

Here’s the thing: both communication methods serve the same ultimate purpose—the revelation of God’s character. Whether through the empowerment of His servants or the confrontation of His enemies, God’s goal is that people would know that He is the LORD. This echoes what we see in Exodus 15:11, where Moses sings, “Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”

The covenant faithfulness we see here connects to God’s promises throughout Scripture. This deliverance from Egypt becomes the foundation for understanding God’s character. As He declares in Exodus 15:13, “You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.” This same faithful character is what Peter celebrates when he writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

How This Applies to Us

So what does this mean for us today? How is God communicating in our lives, and how should we respond?

First, we need to recognize that God’s communication methods in our lives reflect His purposes for us. Are you experiencing empowerment, clarity, and equipping? That might indicate God is calling you to greater service. Are you facing challenges, resistance, or circumstances that seem to be pushing against you? That might indicate areas where God is calling you to submit more fully to His authority.

The progressive revelation pattern we see here continues today. Jesus told His disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12-13). God reveals Himself progressively as we’re able to receive and respond to His communication.

Second, we need to understand that God’s communication—whether encouraging or challenging—always serves His larger purpose of revealing His character. Whether we’re experiencing blessing or discipline, encouragement or correction, God’s goal is to display His glory through our lives. As Paul reminds us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Third, we need to respond appropriately to however God is communicating with us. If He’s empowering and equipping us like He did Moses and Aaron, we should step forward in faithful obedience. If He’s challenging and confronting us like He did Pharaoh, we should submit to His authority rather than harden our hearts.

The Universal Scope

But here’s what we can’t miss: God’s communication in this passage serves a universal purpose. He tells Moses that “the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” This isn’t just about Israel’s liberation or Pharaoh’s judgment—it’s about God revealing Himself to all people.

This connects to the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to “go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The same God who wanted the Egyptians to know His character wants all nations to know Him through the gospel.

The same is true in our lives. God’s communication with us—whether empowering or challenging—isn’t just about us. It’s about how He can display His character through our response to His communication. When we respond to His empowerment with faithful service, we reveal His enabling grace. When we respond to His correction with humble submission, we reveal His transforming power.

The Key Question

As we conclude our walk through this passage, the key question isn’t whether God is communicating—He always is. The question is whether we’re responding appropriately to His communication.

Moses and Aaron responded to God’s empowerment with faithful obedience, and they became instruments of divine power. Pharaoh responded to God’s signs with continued resistance, and he became an example of divine judgment. The difference wasn’t in God’s communication but in their response to it.

The same God who transformed Moses from an inadequate spokesman into a divine representative is working in our lives today. The same God who demonstrated His authority over Egyptian magic is demonstrating His power in our circumstances today. The question isn’t whether He’s communicating—it’s whether we’re listening and responding appropriately.

How is God communicating with you? What is He calling you to do or to become? And how will you respond? Will you be like Moses and Aaron, receiving God’s empowerment with faithful obedience? Or will you be like Pharaoh, witnessing God’s power but hardening your heart against His authority?

The choice is ours, but the communication is clear. God speaks differently to those He calls to follow Him than to those He confronts in judgment, but in both cases, His purpose is the same: that we might know that He is the LORD. May we have ears to hear, hearts to understand, and courage to respond with faithful obedience to His communication, whatever form it takes.