Exodus 9:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

NIV: But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

NASB: But indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name throughout the earth.

CSB: However, I have let you live for this purpose: to show you my power and to make my name known on the whole earth.

NLT: But I have spared you for a purpose — to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.

KJV: And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

NKJV: But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

This is the primary reason the Lord has not already destroyed Egypt and its stubborn king (Exodus 9:15). God intends to demonstrate His great power to the world. The plagues on Egypt (Exodus 3:20) prove the Lord's power. They debunk the strength of Egypt's imaginary deities. They even prove God's mercy. On two occasions, Pharaoh admitted the Lord was right (Exodus 9:27; 10:16). Following the tenth plague, Pharaoh would even ask Moses and Aaron to bless him (Exodus 12:32). But after many chances (Exodus 5:1; 7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1) and many refusals (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7) God permanently consigns Pharaoh to his fate (Exodus 4:21). That comes after the impending plague of hail (Exodus 9:24–25), where Pharaoh once again chooses defiance (Exodus 9:34–35).

Lessons about God's power are not only targeted at the Egyptians, or at Israel. The point is that the entire world could look at these events and learn from them (Exodus 9:14). God frequently mentions this concept (Exodus 19:5; 34:10; Numbers 14:21). God created human beings and gave them power over "all the earth" (Genesis 1:26), yet all people remain under God's authority. The importance of God's name being declared is also developed elsewhere in Exodus. The Lord states that the destruction of Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:28) would result in God "getting glory" (Exodus 14:17). The song following the crossing of the Red Sea proclaims the strength and greatness of the Lord over Pharaoh and his army (Exodus 15:16).

Exodus 9:13–26 explains the seventh plague on Egypt (Exodus 3:20). Because Pharaoh has stubbornly resisted the Lord (Exodus 5:2; 7:13–14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7), God has begun to harden Pharaoh's heart as a means of judgment (Exodus 9:12). Moses offers a warning for Egyptians to take shelter against a coming storm. Some listen, others do not. God sends a terrifying, brutal storm of hail and lightning that kills everything and everyone in the open fields. Only the Hebrew land of Goshen is spared.

After four devastating plagues, Pharaoh continues to resist God's command to free the Hebrew slaves. Through Moses, the Lord sends two more: death of Egyptian livestock and an epidemic of skin lesions. Pharoah refuses to respond to the first, and God makes him stubborn after the second. This leads to the most terrifying sign yet: the seventh plague of hail and fire. Pharoah claims to repent. Yet as soon as the hail stops, he again chooses obstinance. After this, the Lord will use Pharaoh as a tool to demonstrate divine judgment.

Moses and Aaron brought the Lord's command that Pharaoh should release Hebrew slaves (Exodus 5:1–4). Over and over, Egypt's king was obstinate. This resulted in divine plagues meant to demonstrate God's power and authority (Exodus 7:20; 8:6, 17, 24). In this chapter, God sends three more disasters: a plague on livestock, an epidemic of skin sores, and an obliterating storm of hail and lightning. Pharaoh will once again choose stubbornness, passing a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). For the remaining plagues (Exodus 10—12) and after (Exodus 14:4), Pharaoh will be a living example of the Lord's divine judgment (Exodus 4:21).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.