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 reveals God's sovereign power over human hearts. The Hebrew word for "harden" is "חָזַק" (chazaq), which means to strengthen, make firm, or harden. In the context of Exodus, it signifies God's active role in fortifying Pharaoh's resolve against releasing the Israelites. This divine action serves a greater purpose in God's redemptive plan, demonstrating His authority over even the most powerful rulers. Historically, Pharaohs were seen as divine or semi-divine figures in Egyptian culture, making God's intervention a direct challenge to their perceived supremacy. so that he will pursue them
The phrase indicates God's intention to draw Pharaoh into a pursuit. The Hebrew root "רָדַף" (radaph) means to chase or follow after. This pursuit is not merely a physical chase but a spiritual and moral confrontation. God orchestrates events to reveal His glory and power, setting the stage for a miraculous deliverance. The pursuit also serves as a test of faith for the Israelites, challenging them to trust in God's protection and provision. But I will gain glory for Myself
Here, the focus shifts to God's ultimate purpose: His glory. The Hebrew word "כָּבוֹד" (kabod) refers to weightiness or honor. God's actions are designed to manifest His majesty and supremacy over all creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where gods were often associated with specific nations or territories, God's demonstration of power over Egypt underscores His universal sovereignty. This glory is not only for the benefit of the Israelites but also a testimony to the surrounding nations. through Pharaoh and all his army
This phrase highlights the instruments of God's glory. Pharaoh and his army, symbols of earthly power and oppression, become tools in God's hands. The Hebrew word for "army" is "חַיִל" (chayil), which can mean strength, wealth, or force. By using Pharaoh's might to display His own, God subverts human expectations and reveals His ability to use even opposition for His purposes. This serves as a reminder that no earthly power can thwart God's plans. and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD
The culmination of God's actions is the revelation of His identity. The phrase "I am the LORD" uses the divine name "Yahweh," emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. The Egyptians, who worshipped a pantheon of gods, would come to recognize the uniqueness and supremacy of Yahweh. This acknowledgment is not just intellectual but experiential, as they witness His mighty acts. The historical context of polytheistic Egypt contrasts sharply with the monotheistic revelation of Yahweh, underscoring the transformative power of God's self-disclosure. So the Israelites did this
The final phrase reflects the obedience of the Israelites. Their compliance with God's instructions is a testament to their growing faith and trust in His leadership. The Hebrew root "עָשָׂה" (asah) means to do or make, indicating action and response. This obedience is crucial for the unfolding of God's plan, as it positions the Israelites to witness His deliverance. It serves as an inspiration for believers to act in faith, trusting in God's promises and timing. 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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