How does Exodus 3:20 demonstrate God's power over earthly authorities? Setting the Scene Exodus 3 captures Moses’ encounter with the LORD at the burning bush. In verse 20, God reveals His plan to compel Pharaoh to release Israel: “So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them; after that, he will let you go.” (Exodus 3:20) The Declaration of Divine Authority • “I will stretch out My hand” – a vivid picture of direct, personal intervention. • “Strike the Egyptians” – God’s acts are not suggestions or negotiations; they are decisive blows. • “With all the wonders I will perform” – the plagues are preannounced demonstrations of unrivaled power. • “He will let you go” – the outcome is settled before events unfold. Five Ways Exodus 3:20 Displays God’s Supremacy over Earthly Rulers 1. Foreknowledge and Control – God states the future as fact. Pharaoh’s vaunted autonomy is already overruled. (cf. Isaiah 46:10) 2. Supernatural Intervention – The “wonders” surpass any human capability, underscoring that no earthly power can withstand the Creator. (cf. Exodus 7:3–5) 3. Judicial Authority – “Strike the Egyptians” shows God acting as Judge over nations, not merely over individuals. (cf. Exodus 12:12) 4. Purposeful Pressure – Each plague targets Egyptian deities and economy, dismantling Pharaoh’s spiritual and political legitimacy. (cf. Numbers 33:4) 5. Guaranteed Deliverance – “He will let you go” assures Israel that liberation hinges on God’s might, not on Moses’ persuasiveness. (cf. Exodus 6:6) Supporting Scriptures • Psalm 2:1–4 – Kings rage, but God “laughs” from heaven, affirming His throne. • Daniel 4:34–37 – Nebuchadnezzar confesses that God “does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.” • Romans 9:17 – Paul cites Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose … that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” • Acts 4:24–28 – Early believers recognize that even hostile rulers carry out “whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined beforehand.” Implications for Believers Today • Earthly authorities operate under divine oversight; no regime is beyond God’s reach. • Confidence in God’s promises grows when we recall how He overruled Pharaoh. • Obedience can be practiced without fear, knowing deliverance rests on the same hand that once “stretched out” against Egypt. |
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