What does "the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD" teach about God's identity? Setting the Scene - Exodus 7:5: “And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out My hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them.” - God speaks these words to Moses before the first plague, framing every sign that follows. The Phrase Explained - “Will know” (Hebrew yāḏaʿ) means experiential recognition, not mere information. - “I am the LORD” (YHWH) anchors God’s self-revealed covenant name, first declared to Moses in Exodus 3:14. - The statement is therefore God’s pledge: through decisive action, He will make His personal identity unmistakable to Egypt. A Name that Communicates Sovereignty - God’s control over Nile water (Exodus 7:17), weather (Exodus 9:23), light and darkness (Exodus 10:21-23), and the sea (Exodus 14:21-28) proclaims unrivaled sovereignty. - Cross-reference: Isaiah 45:5-6—“I am the LORD, and there is no other… so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none but Me.” - Identity truth: The LORD alone rules creation; Egyptian deities are exposed as powerless. God’s Identity as Judge - Each plague confronts specific gods of Egypt (e.g., Hapi of the Nile, Ra of the sun). - Exodus 12:12: “I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.” - Identity truth: The LORD is the righteous Judge who answers human rebellion with measured, escalating judgments. God’s Identity as Redeemer - The same acts that crush Egypt liberate Israel. - Exodus 6:7: “I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” - Identity truth: The LORD reveals Himself as faithful Deliverer, keeping covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). The International Purpose - God’s self-disclosure is not limited to Israel. Rahab in Jericho echoes Egypt’s knowledge (Joshua 2:10-11). - Romans 9:17: “I raised you up for this very purpose, to display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” - Identity truth: The LORD intends global recognition of His name and glory. Summary Takeaways • The phrase teaches that God’s identity is personal (YHWH), sovereign over creation, righteous in judgment, faithful in redemption, and globally self-revealing. • Egypt’s forced acknowledgment foreshadows the universal confession to come: “Every knee will bow” (Philippians 2:10-11). |
    |