What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Pharaoh's resistance in Exodus 7:14? Context of Exodus 7:14 “So the LORD said to Moses, ‘Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go.’” A single sentence, yet it stands at the doorway of the ten plagues. God has revealed the problem—an iron-willed king—and, at the same moment, His absolute control over what will follow. God Already Knows the Human Heart • Nothing surprises the Lord. Before Moses raises his staff, God states the precise condition of Pharaoh’s heart. • 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” • God’s foreknowledge is not passive observation; it is active sovereignty. He knows because He rules. Sovereignty Shines Through Human Resistance • Pharaoh’s refusal sets the stage for God’s greater display of power (Romans 9:17). • The harder the heart, the clearer the distinction between human obstinacy and divine authority. • Exodus shows a pattern: opposition becomes opportunity for revelation. God Directs Events Without Negating Human Responsibility • Pharaoh chooses to resist; God declares that resistance beforehand (Exodus 4:21). • Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” • Divine sovereignty and human accountability run in parallel rails—never colliding, never contradicting. Purposes Beyond Immediate Circumstances • God is not only freeing Israel; He is revealing Himself to Egypt, Israel, and the surrounding nations (Exodus 9:16). • His sovereignty is missionary in nature—drawing attention to His name and glory. • Isaiah 46:9-10 underscores this: “I am God, and there is no other… My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please.” Lessons for Today • Unyielding hearts cannot derail God’s redemptive plan. • Resistance we face—whether personal or cultural—may be the very canvas on which God paints His power. • Trusting His sovereignty means resting in Daniel 4:35: “He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.” • When obstacles arise, expect that God already has the outcome—and the glory—in view. Living in Light of Sovereignty • Release anxiety: God rules over rulers, circumstances, and hardened hearts. • Respond in obedience: like Moses, keep speaking truth even when rejection persists. • Rejoice in revelation: every act of divine deliverance magnifies His name, just as the Exodus still does today. |
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