And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. Then I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army and chariots and horsemen. And as for MeThis phrase indicates a direct declaration from God, emphasizing His active role and sovereign will in the unfolding events. The Hebrew root here is "וַאֲנִי" (va'ani), which is a personal pronoun meaning "I" or "as for me." It underscores God's personal involvement and commitment to His people. In the context of Exodus, God is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in the deliverance of Israel. This personal engagement is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where God often reassures His people of His presence and action. I will harden
The Hebrew word used here is "חָזַק" (chazaq), which means to strengthen, make firm, or harden. This action by God is a deliberate act to fulfill His purposes. In the narrative of Exodus, the hardening of Pharaoh's heart serves to demonstrate God's power and glory. It is a reminder that God's plans are sovereign and that He can use even the resistance of human hearts to accomplish His divine will. This concept challenges believers to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when circumstances seem contrary to human understanding. the hearts of the Egyptians
The heart, in Hebrew "לֵב" (lev), is often seen as the center of will, emotion, and intellect. By hardening the hearts of the Egyptians, God is influencing their decisions and actions. This phrase highlights the spiritual battle between God's will and human resistance. Historically, the Egyptians were a powerful nation, and their hearts being hardened signifies a divine intervention that overrides human power and pride. It serves as a lesson that no human authority can stand against God's purposes. so that they will go in after them
This phrase indicates the purpose of God's action. The Egyptians pursuing the Israelites into the sea is a pivotal moment in the Exodus story. It demonstrates God's control over the situation, leading the Egyptians into a trap that will ultimately bring about their downfall. This action is a testament to God's strategic planning and His ability to use the intentions of His enemies to bring about His glory and the deliverance of His people. And I will be glorified
The Hebrew root "כָּבֵד" (kavod) means to be heavy or weighty, often used to describe glory or honor. God's glorification is the ultimate aim of the events in Exodus. Through the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites and the defeat of the Egyptians, God's power and majesty are displayed to all. This phrase reminds believers that God's actions are always aimed at revealing His glory, and it encourages them to live in a way that reflects His honor and majesty. through Pharaoh and all his army
Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, and his army represent the epitome of earthly power and opposition to God's people. By being glorified through them, God demonstrates His supremacy over all earthly authorities. This phrase serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how formidable the opposition, God's power is unmatched. Historically, the defeat of Pharaoh's army would have been a significant event, showcasing God's ability to protect and deliver His people against overwhelming odds. through his chariots and horsemen
Chariots and horsemen were symbols of military strength and might in ancient times. By specifying these elements, the text highlights the complete and utter defeat of Egypt's military prowess. This serves as a metaphor for God's ability to dismantle any form of human strength that opposes His will. It reassures believers that God's protection and deliverance are not limited by human capabilities or resources. The destruction of these symbols of power is a testament to God's ultimate authority and the futility of relying on human strength against divine will. Persons / Places / Events 1. God (Yahweh)The sovereign Lord who declares His intention to harden the hearts of the Egyptians to demonstrate His power and glory. 2. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt, whose heart is hardened by God, leading him to pursue the Israelites. 3. The EgyptiansThe people of Egypt, specifically the army, who are led by Pharaoh to chase after the Israelites. 4. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who are being pursued by the Egyptians as they flee from slavery. 5. The Red SeaThe body of water that the Israelites are crossing, which becomes the setting for God's miraculous deliverance. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control of all events, even the hardening of hearts, to fulfill His purposes and display His glory. Divine GloryUnderstand that God's actions, even those that seem harsh, are ultimately for His glory and the good of His people. Faith in DeliveranceTrust in God's power to deliver us from seemingly impossible situations, just as He delivered the Israelites. The Role of ObedienceReflect on the importance of obedience to God's commands, as the Israelites had to trust and follow Moses' leadership. Witness to the NationsConsider how God's mighty acts in our lives can serve as a testimony to others, drawing them to recognize His power 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's glory being revealed through challenging situations you have faced? 3. How can the account of the Israelites' deliverance through the Red Sea encourage you to trust God in your current trials? 4. What steps can you take to ensure that your life is a testimony to God's power and glory, similar to how the parting of the Red Sea impacted surrounding nations? 5. How does the theme of obedience in this passage challenge you to follow God's leading in your own life, even when the path seems uncertain? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 4:21God tells Moses that He will harden Pharaoh's heart, showing a consistent theme of divine sovereignty over human decisions. Romans 9:17-18Paul references Pharaoh to illustrate God's sovereign choice and purpose in hardening hearts for His glory. Joshua 2:10-11Rahab recounts the fear of the nations due to God's mighty acts, including the parting of the Red Sea, highlighting the impact of God's glory on surrounding peoples. Psalm 136:13-15A psalm of thanksgiving that recounts God's deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea, emphasizing His enduring love and power. People Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, ZephonPlaces Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red SeaTopics Armies, Army, Behold, Chariots, Egyptians, Follow, Force, Gain, Glorify, Glory, Harden, Heart, Hearts, Honor, Honored, Honour, Honoured, Horsemen, Host, Myself, Pharaoh, Pursue, Strengthening, War-carriagesDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 14:17 6185 imagination, desires
6245 stubbornness Exodus 14:10-31 4819 dryness Exodus 14:13-18 5103 Moses, significance Exodus 14:15-22 1416 miracles, nature of Exodus 14:17-18 1320 God, as Saviour 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 14:17 NIVExodus 14:17 NLTExodus 14:17 ESVExodus 14:17 NASBExodus 14:17 KJV
Exodus 14:17 Commentaries
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