The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:14-25

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The water turned into blood.

I. THE PUNISHMENT. There were two elements in it.

1. The deprivation: water, one of the most essential of all God's gifts, was suddenly made useless.

2. The horror. Had all the water of Egypt suddenly disappeared, the punishment had been infinitely less. Instead of water, there was blood and corruption.

3. It was a judgment on Egypt's idolatry. The things we set in God's stead will be made an abomination and a horror to us.

4. It was the revelation of Egypt's guilt; beneath these waters the babes of Israel had sunk in their hopeless struggle with death. The abused gifts of God will be removed, but the horror of their abuse will abide.

I. THE ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT GOD'S AGENCY IN THE CALAMITY. The magicians could increase the plague, and therefore it was not from the hand of God! The same argument is used still to prevent misfortune being considered as a chastisement and warning from God. Men can see in it chance only, or man's hand, not the Lord's.

III. PHARAOH'S DOGGED REFUSAL TO OBEY. He "turned and went into his house" (Exodus 7:23). This would prolong his punishment, but could not conquer God. Instead of bowing to God's word, we may shut ourselves in with our sin, but we only bind judgment upon us, and tempt God to inflict a heavier blow.—U.

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