And I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So this is what the Israelites did. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heartThis phrase indicates God's sovereign control over the events of the Exodus. The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a recurring theme in Exodus, emphasizing God's power and purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was seen as the center of will and decision-making. God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart demonstrates His authority over human decisions, aligning with His divine plan. This act also serves as a judgment against Pharaoh's persistent rebellion and pride, showcasing God's justice. so that he will pursue them.
Pharaoh's pursuit of the Israelites is a pivotal moment in the Exodus narrative. Historically, the Egyptians were a dominant power, and their pursuit reflects their desire to maintain control over their former slaves. This pursuit sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea, highlighting God's protection and deliverance of His people. Theologically, it underscores the theme of God leading His people into situations where His power and glory can be displayed. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army,
God's intention to gain honor through Pharaoh and his army reveals His desire to demonstrate His supremacy over the gods of Egypt and the might of its military. In the ancient world, military power was often associated with divine favor. By defeating Pharaoh's army, God shows that He alone is the true God, worthy of honor and reverence. This act foreshadows the ultimate victory of God over all earthly powers, a theme echoed throughout Scripture. and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”
This statement emphasizes God's purpose in the events of the Exodus: to reveal His identity and power to the Egyptians. The knowledge of the LORD is a recurring biblical theme, often associated with His acts of judgment and salvation. The plagues and the parting of the Red Sea serve as signs to the Egyptians, challenging their polytheistic beliefs and demonstrating the LORD's uniqueness. This revelation is not only for the Israelites but also for the surrounding nations, pointing to God's universal sovereignty. So this is what the Israelites did.
The Israelites' obedience in following God's instructions is crucial to the narrative. Their actions reflect trust in God's plan and leadership through Moses. This obedience is a model for faith and reliance on God, even in seemingly impossible situations. The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a type of the Christian journey of faith, where believers are called to trust and follow God through life's challenges, assured of His deliverance and ultimate victory. Persons / Places / Events 1. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart God hardens to pursue the Israelites, demonstrating God's power and sovereignty. 2. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who are being led out of slavery in Egypt towards the Promised Land. 3. EgyptiansThe people of Egypt, who will witness God's power and come to know that He is the LORD. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who orchestrates these events to reveal His glory and power. 5. The ExodusThe event of the Israelites' departure from Egypt, a pivotal moment in biblical history showcasing God's deliverance. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control of all events, even the hardening of hearts, to fulfill His divine purposes. Purpose in TrialsUnderstand that God may allow challenges to demonstrate His power and bring glory to His name. Faith in DeliveranceTrust in God's plan and timing, knowing that He is working for His glory and our good, even when circumstances seem dire. Witness to the WorldOur lives and God's work in them can be a testimony to others of His power and sovereignty. Obedience to God's CommandsLike the Israelites, we are called to follow God's instructions, trusting in His ultimate plan for deliverance and glory. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's sovereignty in hardening Pharaoh's heart affect your view of difficult circumstances in your life? 2. In what ways can you see God using challenges in your life to demonstrate His power and bring glory to His name? 3. How can the account of the Exodus encourage you to trust in God's deliverance in your own life? 4. What are some practical ways you can be a witness to God's power and sovereignty in your community? 5. How can you cultivate a heart of obedience to God's commands, even when His plans are not fully clear to you? Connections to Other Scriptures Romans 9:17-18Paul references God's hardening of Pharaoh's heart to illustrate God's sovereignty and purpose in showing His power and proclaiming His name throughout the earth. Exodus 9:16Earlier in Exodus, God explains that He raised Pharaoh up to demonstrate His power and declare His name in all the earth. Isaiah 63:12-14Reflects on God's guidance and deliverance of Israel, emphasizing His mighty deeds and the recognition of His name. 1 Samuel 6:5The Philistines acknowledge the power of the God of Israel, similar to how the Egyptians come to know the LORD through His acts. People Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, ZephonPlaces Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red SeaTopics Armies, Army, Chase, Egyptians, Follow, Force, Gain, Glorify, Glory, Harden, Heart, Honor, Honored, Honour, Honoured, Host, Israelites, Myself, Pharaoh, Pharaoh's, Pursue, Pursued, Strengthened, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 14:4 1315 God, as redeemer
1320 God, as Saviour
1403 God, revelation
5029 knowledge, of God
5366 king
5590 travel
6185 imagination, desires
6663 freedom, of will
9210 judgment, God's Library A Path in the Sea
'And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureEntangled in the Land
"For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in."--Exodus 14:3. ISRAEL WAS CLEAN escaped from Egypt. Not a hoof of their cattle was left behind; nor foot of child or aged man remained in the house of bondage. But though they were gone, they were not forgotten by the tyrant who had enslaved them. They had been a very useful body of workers; for they had built treasure cities and storehouses for Pharaoh. Compelled to work without wages, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Epistle Lxiii. To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks.
To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. Gregory to Brunichild, &c. What good gifts have been conferred on you from above, and with what piety heavenly grace has filled you, this, among all the other proofs of your merits, intimates evidently to all that you both govern the savage hearts of barbarians with the skill of prudent counsel, and (what is still more to your praise), adorn your royal power with wisdom. And since, as you are above many nations in both these respects, so also you excel them in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great They who have not Been Promoted to that Office. ...
They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not to adjure, either in churches or in private houses. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XXVI. No one shall adjure without the bishop's promotion to that office. Balsamon. Some were in the habit of "adjuring," that is catechising the unbelievers, who had never received the imposition of the bishop's hands for that purpose; and when they were accused of doing so, contended that as they did not do it in church but only at home, they …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
6. and lastly, Let us consider the intrinsick absurdities, and incredibilities of the several stories of these three miracles, p. 36.--As to Jairus's daughter, and her resurrection from the dead, St. Hilary [13] hints, that there was no such person as Jairus;--and he gives this reason, and a good reason it is, why he thought so, because it is elsewhere intimated in the gospel that none of the rulers of the synagogues confessedly believ'd on Jesus, John vii. 48. and xii. 42. St. John's words in the …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 14:4 NIVExodus 14:4 NLTExodus 14:4 ESVExodus 14:4 NASBExodus 14:4 KJV
Exodus 14:4 Commentaries
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