Exodus 7:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The eminent figure of Moses brought judgment upon Egypt, delivered the Israelites through numerous signs and wonders, ascended into the cloud, and imparted a dual law: the outward law of the letter and the inward law of the spirit (cf. Rom. 7:6). Additionally, Aaron, Moses' brother in both flesh and spirit, who interceded with sacrifices and prayers for the people (cf. Exod. 29:1), was initiated into the divine regulations of the sacred and majestic tabernacle established by the Lord Himself, rather than by human hands (Heb. 8:2).

The Lord communicated to Moses, saying that if Pharaoh requests a sign, he should throw the rod before him, and it will transform into a serpent. When Pharaoh summoned his magicians, they performed a similar feat with their incantations (Ex. 7:8-9, 11). While they replicated this act using their own sorcery, it does not imply that something extraordinary occurred, as they simply relied on their established craft. However, if they believed they had triumphed over Moses by matching his sign, they committed an irredeemable offense.