We can know the LORD but not really know him; we can have an intellectual knowledge of God that does not change our will. There are two instances of knowing and not knowing the LORD in this passage: Pharaoh knowing who to pray to (7:25-8:15) and the magicians knowing who's at work (8:16-19).

The warning proclaimed (vv 14-19); the warning enacted (vv 20-24); the warning reenacted (Revelation 16:3-4).

Two aspects of this miraculous failure that show it is not ultimately a failure: the plan for the miraculous failure (6:28-7:7) and the foreshadowing of the miraculous failure (7:8-13). A third aspect is the greatest miraculous failure to which this "failure" points--the cross.

Two realities we look to for stability when difficulty comes: the consistency of God’s message and the continuity of God’s method.

Correcting wrong expectations of God.

Four aspects of the true God: he's a Small Beginner (vv 18-20), a Sovereign Father (vv 21-23), an Undomesticated Ruler (vv 24-26), and a Promise Keeper (vv 27-31).

Three obstacles to serving God: fear of failure (vv 1-9), feelings of inadequacy (vv 10-12), and fundamental unwillingness (vv 13-17).

Three reasons why we can fulfill our commission from the LORD: the LORD is involved (vv 1-10), the LORD is sufficient (vv 11-15), and the LORD is sovereign (vv 16-22).