In the biblical narrative, the acknowledgment of God's power and the truth of His people by their enemies serves as a testament to His sovereignty and the undeniable reality of His presence and authority. Throughout Scripture, there are numerous instances where adversaries of God and His people are compelled to recognize His supremacy, often leading to pivotal moments in the biblical account.

Old Testament Examples

1. Pharaoh of Egypt: One of the most prominent examples is Pharaoh's acknowledgment of the power of the God of Israel during the Exodus. Despite his initial resistance, the plagues that God sent upon Egypt forced Pharaoh to recognize the might of the Lord. In Exodus 12:31-32 , after the death of the firstborn, Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Get up, leave my people, both you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also."

2. Rahab of Jericho: In Joshua 2:9-11 , Rahab, a resident of Jericho, acknowledges the power of the God of Israel when she says to the spies, "I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, so that all who live in the land are melting in fear of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

3. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon: King Nebuchadnezzar, after witnessing the miraculous deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace, acknowledges the power of God. In Daniel 3:28-29 , he declares, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will be cut into pieces and their houses reduced to rubble, for there is no other god who can deliver in this way."

New Testament Examples

1. The Centurion at the Crucifixion: In the New Testament, the Roman centurion who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus Christ acknowledged His divine nature. In Matthew 27:54 , it is recorded, "When the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified and exclaimed, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'"

2. The Demons: Even the demons, spiritual enemies of God, recognized Jesus' authority. In Mark 1:24 , a demon-possessed man in the synagogue cried out, "What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!"

3. Saul of Tarsus: Before his conversion, Saul was a fierce persecutor of Christians. However, after his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he acknowledged Jesus as Lord. In Acts 9:5 , Saul asks, "Who are You, Lord?" and the response comes, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting."

These instances of acknowledgment by enemies highlight the pervasive and undeniable influence of God's power and truth, even among those who initially oppose Him. They serve as powerful reminders of the ultimate authority of God and the transformative impact of His presence in the world.