Exodus 7: Plagues Begin: Water to Blood Scripture

God commands Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. God warns that Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened, refusing to listen, so that God’s power can be displayed through signs and wonders. Aaron, acting as Moses’ spokesperson, performs the first miracle by throwing down his staff, which turns into a serpent. Pharaoh’s magicians replicate this with their own staffs, but Aaron’s serpent swallows theirs, demonstrating God’s superiority. Despite this, Pharaoh remains unmoved. God then instructs Moses to meet Pharaoh at the Nile River, where Aaron’s staff turns the river into blood as the first plague, affecting the water, fish, and people of Egypt. Pharaoh’s magicians mimic this act, and his heart remains hardened, refusing to let the Israelites go.