HE STRUCK THE WATER / EXODUS 7:20

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Exodus 7:20

Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood.

When God Strikes the Water: Understanding the Power and Purpose of the Plagues

In Exodus 7:20, we witness a foundational moment in biblical history: Moses lifts his staff, strikes the waters of the Nile, and turns the lifeblood of Egypt into blood. This was not a random display of divine anger. Instead, it was the opening movement of a grand, strategic plan. The ten miraculous plagues that followed were designed to rewrite history and reshape the hearts of two completely different nations.

When we study the full narrative of the plagues, we discover four distinct purposes behind God’s dramatic intervention.

1. To Reveal the Sovereign Lord to All Mankind

The primary goal of the plagues was a revelation of identity. God declared, “The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 7:5). Pharaoh had previously mocked God, asking who He was to demand obedience. Through these wonders, God answered that question definitively. The signs proved that the Lord stands high above all human rulers and false deities, making His name known “in all the earth” (Exodus 9:16).

2. To Build an Enduring Legacy of Faith for Israel

The miracles were an investment in the future of God’s chosen people. They were performed to radically strengthen Israel’s faith, convincing them of God’s absolute power, love, and ultimate authority over creation. From this moment on, Israel was commanded to pass these stories down to their children. These historical acts of deliverance were meant to inspire every successive generation to intimately know and follow God (Exodus 10:2).

3. To Defeat the Powers of Darkness

Every plague was a targeted, direct assault on the religious and spiritual strongholds of Egypt. By striking the Nile—a river worshiped as a vital, life-giving deity—God exposed the utter powerlessness of Egypt’s gods. It demonstrated His supreme authority over all evil powers, providing a visual, undeniable reminder that nothing can stand against the Almighty when He moves to protect His people (Exodus 12:12).

4. To Execute Righteous Judgment and Break Chain of Bondage

Finally, the plagues served as God’s legal and physical judgments against an empire built on the brutal enslavement of His children. They were strategic pressures applied to shatter Pharaoh’s stubborn pride and compel him to let Israel go. Through these acts of justice, God proved that He hears the cries of the oppressed and will actively break the grip of tyranny to set His people free.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We stand in awe of Your unmatched power and ultimate authority over all creation. Lord, just as You struck the water to deliver Your people from the hand of Pharaoh, we ask that You step into our lives today. Strike down the modern idols, fears, and stubborn strongholds that seek to keep us in bondage. Remind us that no earthly or spiritual power can stand against You.

Build our faith through the memory of Your past faithfulness. Give us the wisdom and consistency to tell the next generation of Your love and mighty deeds, so that our children will grow up inspired to know and follow You. Thank You for being our Defender, our Deliverer, and the One True God over all the earth.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

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