Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 7:6
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
6. A summary statement that Moses and Aaron carried out these instructions. The verse is anticipatory: the details follow in Exo 7:8 ff. The type of sentence is one characteristic of P: cf. Gen 6:22, Exo 12:28; Exo 12:50; Exo 39:32 b, Exo 40:16, al.: LOT. p. 124 (ed. 6 8, p. 132), No. 11.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Exo 7:6
So did they.
Obedience to God
I. It must be rendered by the servants of God. Moses and Aaron. All men who are called to moral service by God must obey Him.
1. Because He gives them their commands.
2. Because He gives them the power to do so.
3. Because He rewards obedience.
II. It must be co-extensive with their mission.
1. It must be entire.
2. It must be cheerful.
3. It must be holy.
III. It will render their mission effective–
1. Because it will lead to the best mode of service.
2. Because God will delight to honour it. The Divine commands:
(1) Rightfully given.
(2) To be faithfully executed.
(3) To be diligently obeyed. To be supremely regarded. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
An emphatical repetition, to show their courage in attempting to say and do such things to so great a monarch in his own dominions, and their fidelity in the execution of all Gods commands.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them,…. After this they never showed any reluctance, or made any objection to any message they were sent with, or any work they were ordered to do, but went about it at once, and performed it with all readiness and cheerfulness:
so did they; which is not a superfluous and redundant expression, but very emphatic, showing with what care and diligence they did every thing, and how exactly they conformed in all things to the divine will.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. And Moses and Aaron did. It is not for the sake of boasting that Moses reports his own obedience; but after having ingenuously confessed his hesitation, he now relates that he and his brother were in better courage for the performance of their office. In the meantime he shows that he, as well as his brother, was God’s minister, and that he brought no industry, nor talent, nor counsel, nor dexterity himself, but simply obeyed God. Still from their example we must learn, that as we may not set about anything except what God prescribes, so we ought obediently and without objection to pursue whatever He commands. What follows as to their age is meant in amplification; since it was no common case, considering the natural coldness and heaviness of old age, that two octogenarians should have actively engaged in so difficult a charge. For I do not assent to the opinion of those who think that their dignity was enhanced by their age. I admit that age is venerable; but Moses had far different views, namely, that, excluding all human means, he might celebrate God’s glory, who performed so mighty a work by men who were failing and decrepit with age. For although their vigor was as yet unabated, their old age might have made them timid, and might have also affected the people with anxiety, when they beheld their leaders to be not only of advanced age, but even naturally not far from the grave.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them.The reluctance and resistance of Moses from this time ceased. He subdued his own will to Gods, and gained the praise of being faithful as a servant in all his house (Heb. 3:5). Aarons obedience continued until Sinai was reached, but there failed before the frenzy of the people (Exo. 32:1-6).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 14:25
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 7:6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
Ver. 6. Did as the Lord commanded them. ] Mallem obedire, quam miracula facere, saith Luther. Their obedience yielded them more comfort than their working of wonders.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
as = according as.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Exo 7:2, Exo 7:10, Exo 12:28, Exo 39:43, Exo 40:16, Gen 6:22, Gen 22:18, Psa 119:4, Joh 15:10, Joh 15:14
Reciprocal: Pro 23:32 – At
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
AUTHORITY AND OBEDIENCE
As the Lord commanded them, so did they.
Exo 7:6
Note the two outstanding facts of this Lesson(a) the absolute obedience of Moses and Aaron; (b) the Divine credentials that attested their message. They spoke their weak words as God bade them, and He made those words authoritative by the miracles that followed.
I. The absolute obedience.The R.V. carefully emphasises this: And Moses and Aaron did so; as the Lord commanded them, so did they. While Jehovah was everything to them, He was nothing to Pharaoh; less, indeed, than the very least of Egypts gods. To the natural man how futile it would seem to summon a monarch so great and proud to a humbling and distasteful task, and that only in a name he despised! Every Gospel preacher probably feels this, especially in heathen lands. How often are we tempted to alter our message; for Pauls saying, to the Greeks foolishness, is still true. But no! Moses and Aaron spoke their feeble words boldly, and God attested them by miracles.
II. Authority.It is for God, not us, to establish the authority of His own message, and He will whenever we speak it in the full obedience of faith. The bold utterance of weak words, at His command and in quiet faith, commits Him to supporting acts of power; and when, as in this case, the opposition intensifies unexpectedly, the magicians rod also turning into serpents, His power increases in proportion. Aarons rod swallowed up their rods. The brave preaching of the seemingly feeble Gospel is Gods way of power.
Illustration
(1) Gods warnings will not continue for ever. To me, as to Pharaoh, will come a final message. How do I know when it will come? How did Pharaoh know? He did not know, nor do I. He was gratified, like a fool, by the removal of each plague, and went on in his folly. Let me not scorn him till I am sure I am not doing the same.
(2) One of the prime objects of the plagues was to establish the superiority and supremacy of the God of the Hebrews, so that Pharaoh might be led to acquiesce in them, and to obey his behests. To a certain extent Satan may by his messengers mimic the Divine working, but Aarons rod swallows up their rods. Who can stand when He appeareth? The Nile was one of their chief deities, and seemed all necessary, but our dearest idols must be smitten to bring us to God.