Challenging the oppressor

Freed to be God’s people: a study of Exodus
Challenging the oppressor– outline
Exodus 7:1-13
Speak God’s words and do his works so people will know Christ is Lord

And the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land, 7:1-2.
In what way has God made Moses like God to Pharaoh and Aaron his prophet? Why would this be such a challenge to Pharaoh’s identity? How is v.2 an example of how God has made Moses like God to Pharaoh and Aaron his prophet?

God says he will harden Pharaoh’s heart, he won’t listen, then God will bring Israel out of Egypt by acts of judgment, 7:3-4.
In Exodus, there at least 20 references to Pharaoh’s heart being hardened. 7 times it says Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. 3 times it says Pharaoh hardened his heart. 10 times it says God hardened his heart. Why was it just for God to harden Pharaoh’s heart? What is/are God’s purpose(s) in hardening Pharaoh’s heart? Why may a hardened heart be a worse judgment than physical judgments? What are symptoms of a hardened heart?

The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them, 7:5.
What is God’s ultimate purpose in bringing Israel out of Egypt by great acts of judgment? What happens to people when they don’t joyfully acknowledge God’s supremacy?

Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7 Now Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh, 7:6-7.
How might what is said about Moses & Aaron in 7:6-7 be good examples for us?

God tells Moses to tell Aaron to cast down his staff before Pharaoh so it becomes a serpent, so they do this, 7:8-10.
A symbol on Pharaoh’s crown depicted a menacing cobra. This was a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity and divine authority in ancient Egypt. What does this indicate were God’s reasons for this preliminary miracle as a challenge to Pharaoh?

Pharaoh’s magicians also cast down their staffs which become serpents, which Aaron’s staff swallows up, 7:11-12.
What does the fact that Aaron’s staff-snake swallows the magicians’ staffs indicate?

Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said, 7:13.
The word for “hardened” can also mean “strengthened.” How does Pharaoh’s “strong” heart set him up for God to display his powerful works?
What are ways we can speak God’s words and do his works so people will know Christ is Lord?