What purpose does God reveal for raising Pharaoh in Exodus 9:16? The Scriptural Statement “ ‘But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power through you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’ ” — Exodus 9:16 God’s Express Purpose in Raising Pharaoh •To display His power unmistakably •To spread His name and fame across the whole earth •To provide a backdrop for Israel’s deliverance, proving He alone is LORD Key Insights from the Verse •“I have raised you up” – Pharaoh’s position and longevity were not accidents; God actively sustained him. •“Display My power” – The plagues revealed divine supremacy over Egypt’s gods and over every realm of nature (Exodus 7–12). •“My name proclaimed” – The Exodus account became the benchmark for God’s reputation among Israel (Joshua 2:9–11) and the nations (1 Samuel 4:8). Related Passages That Echo the Purpose •Romans 9:17 quotes Exodus 9:16 verbatim, showing God’s sovereign right to use rulers to reveal His glory. •Exodus 7:5: “The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD…” •Exodus 14:17–18: God hardens Pharaoh so “the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh.” •Psalm 106:7–12 reviews the plagues and Red Sea deliverance, praising God’s power and renown. Wider Biblical Themes •Sovereignty: God governs kings and kingdoms (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 4:35). •Salvation and Judgment: Deliverance of Israel came hand-in-hand with judgment on Egypt, highlighting the twin aspects of God’s redemptive work. •Mission: God’s acts in history are meant to draw all peoples to acknowledge Him (Isaiah 45:22-23). Personal Application •Trust God’s sovereignty even when ungodly powers seem to rule; He can turn opposition into a stage for His glory. •Recall and recount God’s mighty works; like Israel, we worship by remembering His acts. •Live to make His name known—our lives, like Pharaoh’s defeat, are meant to broadcast God’s greatness to the world. |
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