What does "I raised you up" reveal about God's purpose for Pharaoh? Verse at a Glance Romans 9:17: “For Scripture says to Pharaoh: ‘I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ ” Tracing the Phrase Back to Exodus • Exodus 9:16 echoes the same words spoken through Moses during the plagues. • Both texts place the emphasis on God’s deliberate action: Pharaoh’s throne, stubbornness, and even his continued heartbeat were gifts of God’s sustaining power for a larger agenda. What “I Raised You Up” Means • Literally “caused you to stand” (Greek histēmi; Hebrew heʿemadtikha). • Implies intentional placement, preservation, and empowerment—not accidental history. • Highlights that Pharaoh’s political rise and the length of his reign were orchestrated by God. God’s Twofold Purpose in Raising Pharaoh 1. Display of Power • The ten plagues (Exodus 7–12) and the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 14) served as a public theater of divine might. • Psalm 76:10, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise You,” confirms that even rebellion advances God’s praise. 2. Proclamation of God’s Name • Word of the plagues spread beyond Egypt (Joshua 2:9-11; 1 Samuel 4:8). • God’s reputation of justice and salvation would ripple “through all the earth” (Exodus 9:16). • This global witness prepares the stage for the gospel, fulfilling Habakkuk 2:14—“the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.” Additional Truths the Phrase Reveals • Sovereignty over Rulers: Proverbs 21:1—“A king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD.” • Purpose in Hardening: Romans 9:18 follows with God showing mercy to some and hardening others, underscoring that even resistance is used to advance His redemptive story. • Contrast of Mercy and Judgment: Pharaoh’s stubbornness magnified Israel’s deliverance (Exodus 15:1-18) and formed a backdrop for God’s covenant faithfulness. Application for Today • History is God-directed; no leader rises outside His plan (Daniel 2:21). • God can use both obedience and rebellion to exalt His name (2 Timothy 2:20-21). • Believers can trust that apparent setbacks or hostile powers still serve God’s larger, glory-filled purpose (Ephesians 1:11). In short, “I raised you up” reveals that Pharaoh existed on history’s stage as a deliberate instrument for God to showcase His unmatched power and broadcast His name to the nations—turning even hardened opposition into a megaphone for divine glory. |
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