How does Exodus 7:14 connect to Romans 9:17 about God's purpose for Pharaoh? Setting the Scene • Exodus records Israel’s bondage; Pharaoh’s heart repeatedly hardens against releasing them. • Romans looks back on that history to reveal God’s bigger, sovereign plan. Key Texts • Exodus 7:14: “Pharaoh’s heart is stubborn…” • Romans 9:17: “I raised you up…” How the Two Verses Interlock • Same Pharaoh, same stubbornness, but two complementary angles: – Exodus shows the immediate situation—Pharaoh’s willful refusal. – Romans uncovers the divine purpose behind it—God “raised” Pharaoh for a display of power. God’s Sovereignty on Display • God actively positions world leaders (Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 21:1). • Pharaoh’s throne becomes a stage where God’s supremacy is unmistakable (Exodus 9:16). • The plagues magnify the LORD over Egypt’s gods (Exodus 12:12). Human Responsibility Still Real • Pharaoh hardens his own heart (Exodus 8:15), yet God also hardens it (Exodus 10:20). • Scripture holds both truths together without contradiction (Isaiah 55:8-9). Purpose Statement From Romans • “That My name might be proclaimed in all the earth” (Romans 9:17). – Israel: set free to worship (Exodus 5:1). – Egypt: witnesses Yahweh’s power (Exodus 14:18). – Surrounding nations: hear and fear (Joshua 2:9-11). Lessons for Today • God can use even hardened hearts to advance His plan. • Deliverance and judgment run side by side, highlighting God’s justice and mercy (Psalm 105:26-38). • Every earthly ruler ultimately serves a higher purpose, whether willingly or unwillingly (Acts 4:27-28). Wrapping It Together Exodus 7:14 gives the historical snapshot of Pharaoh’s stubborn heart; Romans 9:17 pulls back the curtain to reveal why God allowed—and even orchestrated—that hardness: to magnify His power and spread His fame to the ends of the earth. |
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