INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew's Bible
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop's Bible
King James/Authorized Bible

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Start of study

Exodus Chapter 7: THE WHAT, THE WHY, THE FIRST MIRACLE

In this chapter, God tells them what to do, what he will do to Pharaoh in hardening his heart, and why, which is to show Pharaoh and Israel Who He is, His Might, His Power and His Will.

(Exodus 7:1 [KJV])
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

This is the type, the representation of Israel's God before their y=eyes, to show them Who He is, how they are chosen by Him, and that one day, long after they are all gone, the fulfillment of this ultimately, will be done by He Himself, which was originally mentioned right at the fall in Genesis 3:15, now represented beforehand, so that they had the opportunity to believe. They here will be saved from Egypt by grace, not by their works as, if this was not God's Master Plan, this would not ever have happened, Egypt being the principal world power at that time, able to be paramount among the people of the world it represents, unable to be stopped because of the army. This will show all that God is stronger.

(Exodus 7:2 [KJV])
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.

"Repeat after me, repeat it again and again, every word, until Pharaoh has no choice but to let you go"
"Send Israel out", not just "let us go and come back, after we sacrifice to the LORD"

(Exodus 7:3 [KJV])
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.

This is a lesson for us, that God hardens the hearts of those He wills, as He knows all hearts, and knows they prefer to be hardened, and gives them free will to do so.
God can also soften hearts, as He wills, as a person wants to come to Him, once again, up to them
The signs and the wonders are for all parties to this on earth, both Israel until this very day, and Egypt then

(Exodus 7:4 [KJV])
But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.

This is God's Sovereignty over mankind, He allowing Pharaoh to harden his heart
God's people Israel are His armies, as now the church is His army, fgighting the spiritual battles we all face
God is over Israel's army to this very day, protecting her, as His children, with a soon saving Hand to rescue them
Currently, it is not Egypt alone, representing the world, but the entire world pretty much against the children of ISrael, including too many in the church itself, which is shameful

OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLES: THE WORLD AND THE FLESH

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5 [KJV])
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

(Ephesians 6:13-17 [KJV])
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(2 Timothy 2:3-4 [KJV])
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

(Exodus 7:5 [KJV])
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.

With each sign, wonder and miracle for the children of Israel and against Egypt, they will be visibly seeing th Hand of God moving on their behalf to stand for them and against Egypt, and it will be less and less undeniable with each one

(Exodus 7:6 [KJV])
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.

They are seeing God move, so are now in His army, leading the warriors on to victory, God's victory

(Exodus 7:7 [KJV])
And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.

Eighty and eighty three year old generals, because God is fighting the actual war for them; doing the work

(Exodus 7:8 [KJV])
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.

Pharaoh, with sorcery, enchantments, court magicians, etc. has seen false, devilish miracles
What he needed to see was ones none of them ever did, which were impossible for his own to do, undenuiably from the God of Abraham, Isaac, Israel, which he had not seen

(Exodus 7:10 [KJV])
And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

This is God saying, "Fine. Here ya go!"
Man participates in God's Work, by his feet and hands, walking and doing
God's own Feet and Hands were pierced for us, to secure our deliverance from sin and the world, from hell, forever

(Exodus 7:11 [KJV])
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Pharaoh is replaying back, "Fine! My turn! We can do that also!"
Notice it is more than one of them who did this
The serpent at work in them
This same practice goes on today, with magicians, sorcerers, witches, warlocks, shamans, etc. and especially on All Hallows Eve, Halloween, the satanic high holiday of every year
This same practice is often drug filled, and done by those possessed of a devil or devils

(Exodus 7:12 [KJV])
For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

No there's something they did not expect, the serpents being crushed by the rod of God

(Exodus 7:13 [KJV])
And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

So Pharaoh hardened his heart, and God did so in like manner
This is a lesson for mankind, who will have no excuse on that day for rejecting God: They hardened their heart all of their life; so God allowed it, and hardened it
Do we fully understand how that works, and why? No. Do we need to? No! By faith we know that that is how it works
By faith we get saved through faith (Ephesians 2:28-9, 1 John 5:13), and by faith in themselves (or the enemy) mankind says he can save himself, or that he does not need to be saved, or that "there is no God, no heaven, no hell!" (Psalm 14:1)

(Exodus 7:14 [KJV])
And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.

My guess is that Pharaoh walked away in disgust and disgrace into his palace with his entourage when their serpents were eaten
Moses and Aaron were left standing there, in wonderment, as to what just happened

(Exodus 7:15 [KJV])
Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.

That word "against" he come meant, in the day it was written, translated, "for"
What it means here is, "In provision for; in preparation for."
God would send Pharaoh to the river for lesson number two, so He sent the dynamic duo ahead to prepare

AGAINST, prep. agenst'.

In opposition; noting enmity or disapprobation. His hand will be against every man. Gen 16. I am against your pillows. Ezek 8.
In opposition, noting contrariety, contradiction, or repugnance; as, a decree against law, reason or public opinion.
In opposition, noting competition, or different sides or parties; as, there are twenty votes in the affirmative against ten in the negative.
In an opposite direction; as, to ride against the wind.
Opposite in place; abreast; as, a ship is against the mouth of a river. In this sense it is often preceded by over. Aaron lighted the lamps over against the candlesticks. Num 8.
In opposition, noting adversity, injury, or contrariety to wishes; as, this change of measures is against us.
Bearing upon; as, one leans against a wall.
In provision for; in preparation for. Urijah made it against king Ahaz came from Damascus. 2 Ki 16. In this sense against is a preposition, with the following part of the sentence for an object. See After, prep. def. 2. In short, the sense of this word is opposition, variously modified according to its application to different objects.

(Exodus 7:16 [KJV])
And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.

The LORD GOD, of the Hebrews, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel, the Israelites, the Great I AM
This is very unlike the other false gods which ever existed, because He is the Creator God, Who created it all, now the creator of Israel, requesting this, The One True God, the Only God

(Exodus 7:17 [KJV])
Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

The pagans drink blood, a forbidden thing to the Jews, as the life is in the blood
The Blood of Christ was shed for us and He gave us life for, out of us flowing living water
Jesus turned water into the blood of the grape, the fruit of the vine, as a remembrance of Him, His death, burial, resurrection
Later the Blood of the Passover would come, that blood protecting Israel from the death angel
This is the significance to Pharaoh, as yet unrealized

(Exodus 7:18 [KJV])
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river.

God is saying to them, "You want to drink blood? Drink it up!"
At this point, they have no choice, with nothing else to drink but blood
So they went from an unending supply of fresh water in the desert, the Nile, to nothing to drink, in a heartbeat
Not to mention their supply of fish, their food was now gone

(Exodus 7:19 [KJV])
And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

Nothing spared, from the stored drinking water to the open drinking water of the natural world surrounding them
It would take a very short time for all of the life in the natural world to die, air and water breathing creatures
This means that all of that smelly death would hit Egypt's nostrils all at once, strongly, unavoidably
All of Christ's life Blood was shed for our sins, all of their water was judged to sh9ow that their god of water, "hapi", was suddenly "unhappy"!

(Exodus 7:20-21 [KJV])
And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

Second sign, wonder, miracle from God; first plague
Imagine their horror as their god failed to protect itself from God!
Now imagine, having seen this with his own eyes, how Pharaoh did not soften his heart to God afterwards
This is a flowing river, so, this would have normally cleared up and passed on downstream-EXCEPT IT IS FROM GOD, so it could not, as the supply was up to God, not nature

WATER TO BLOOD: COMING SOON TO A WORLD NEAR YOU!

(Revelation 16:3-5 [KJV])
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

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(Exodus 7:22 [KJV])
And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.

And the enemy behind their magic, angry for being exposed and defeated, fights back
This is right up to the edge of God's permission, soon to be revoked, ceased, God being Sovereign

(Exodus 7:23 [KJV])
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also.

This means he said to himself, "Ah, that doesn't bother me, I am not impressed ,no big deal, no big God, He is no better than Hapi!"
For the time being, that suited him

(Exodus 7:24 [KJV])
And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river.

Since water is mostly what makes up the body, the blood was filtered by the sand, making it a little bit purer, not necessarily drinkable, because it tasted horrible, but they did not know how long this would last

(Exodus 7:25 [KJV])
And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.

Three days to die of thirst in any desert, for a stranded person
So seven days of extreme toild to get just enough to drink, maybe a pint a day, for each of the millions of people in Egypt
Meanwhile, God let the Israelites have fresh water

Links to studies by book or topic are on the top menu.

Exodus Chapter 8