# Exodus Chapter 7
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## Summarrium
The Lord outlines his plans to Moses pointing out the role that both he and Aaron will plan in the redemption of his people. Yet he highlights that Pharaoh will not heed Moses words and demand signs. The Lord gives them a sign which Moses and Aaron employ casting down Aaron staff which became a serpent. Yet the magicians of Egypt act similarly and Pharaoh is not impressed and will not listen.

The Lord then says that Moses will visit Pharaoh in the morning before he goes out on the water of the Nile and to warn him that the river will turn to blood as a consequence. Moses and Aaron do as the Lord commands and yet once again Pharaoh fails to take on board the Lords judgement and seemingly attempts to ignore what is happening.

## Meditatio
Once again we are confronted by the growing resistance from Pharaoh with regards to the freeing of the Israelites. This is a thematic response from Pharaoh whom if we recall from Chapter 6 does not acknowledge or *know* the Lord. It is interesting as *knowing* is becoming a persistent theme of this book. The Lord reveals his name to be known by Israel (Exodus 3:13-15), his covenantal identity (Exodus 6:3), and desires not only to be *known* by Israel but also to those that oppose them (Exodus 7:5)

Here's a thought. Is perhaps the reason for Gods desire to know and be known because this forms the basis of relationship? Relationship is desirable for God because whilst he might know of all people (he is after all omniscient) there is a difference between this and knowing people directly in relationship. I God perhaps in some way incomplete without this relational knowledge?

In scripture *knowing* is an important concept. Adam *knew* his wife[^1] and Jesus *knew* his sheep and his sheep *know* him[^2] implying a reciprocal relationship. Scriptures maintain that God is omniscient—He knows everything, including every person, their thoughts, and their deeds[^3]. He knows humans fully, more deeply than they know themselves.

Paradoxically however we observe Jesus clearly indicate there are some he *does not* know. Let's follow this logically. The Lord knows all things yet does not know some things. This doesn't make any sense. Well what if some forms of knowledge require more than just awareness of. What if instead they require participation with? Many people know my wife, however they do not enjoy the same close relationship with her afforded to me.

We might then consider does this view challenge the classical view of an omniscient God? He is still acquainted with every tiny detail of humanity, but there is a kind of knowledge that is only obtained through relationship. This kind of knowledge requires participation.

Relational knowing does not diminish His omniscience, but instead highlights the significance and importance of relationships. He does not impose Himself on others but invites humanity to respond freely. His knowing becomes relationally significant when humans willingly reciprocate.

That God desires to be known suggests a willingness to be vulnerable in the context of relationship. The Lord does not have tolerate our sin yet he chooses to open himself up to the possibility of our rejection and disobedience. I dread to think how many hateful acts I alone have perpetrated against him. A vulnerability well exemplified by taking on flesh and becoming fully known to humanity[^5].

[^1]: See [Genesis 4:1](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%204%3A1&version=ESV)
[^2]: See [John 10:14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010%3A14&version=ESV)
[^3]: See [Psalm 139:1–4](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139%3A1-4&version=ESV)
[^4]: See [Matthew 7:23](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207%3A23&version=ESV)
[^5]: See [John 1:14](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201%3A14&version=ESV) and [John 17:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2017%3A3&version=ESV)