Sermons on Exodus 9:16

Exodus 9:16 Interpretation:

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Response to Grace (Asbury Church) offers a unique interpretation of Exodus 9:16 by focusing on the distinction between "election to service" and "election to salvation." The sermon uses the analogy of God "blowing up" the Israelites' narrow expectations—comparing their limited vision to a toy poodle versus a great dane, or a mouse versus a capybara—to illustrate how God's purpose in raising Pharaoh was not just about Israel, but about making His name known globally. The preacher also explores the process of hardening Pharaoh's heart, emphasizing that Pharaoh was not forced against his will; rather, his pride and repeated rejection of God's mercy led to his hardening. The sermon highlights that God’s repeated acts of mercy and compassion toward Pharaoh (relenting after plagues) were met with increased resistance, and that this dynamic is key to understanding the hardening process. The preacher does not delve into the original Hebrew, but does offer a nuanced psychological and spiritual reading of the text.

Understanding God's Sovereignty: Mercy and Hardening Explained (MLJTrust) provides a detailed linguistic and exegetical analysis of Exodus 9:16, focusing on the original meaning of the phrase "I have raised you up." The preacher notes that a better translation is "I have caused you to stand" or "I have brought you forward on the stage of events," emphasizing that God did not create Pharaoh for destruction, but rather brought him to prominence at a specific historical moment. The sermon also explores the term "harden," clarifying that it means "to render obstinate or stubborn," and insists that the hardening is an active process by God, not mere permission. The preacher distinguishes between God creating evil and God aggravating existing evil, arguing that God uses Pharaoh’s existing disposition for His purposes. This sermon stands out for its careful attention to the original language and its insistence on facing the text’s difficulties head-on, rather than explaining them away.

God's Sovereignty and Deliverance: The Exodus Narrative (Desiring God) interprets Exodus 9:16 as the central statement of God’s purpose in the Exodus: to display His power and make His name known throughout the earth. The preacher offers a unique perspective by connecting the proclamation of God’s name ("Yahweh") to the revelation of His absolute being, drawing a direct line from "I am who I am" (Exodus 3) to the events of Exodus 9:16. The sermon unpacks the meaning of "Yahweh" as absolute, self-existent being, and uses this as the interpretive key for understanding why God raised up Pharaoh—to reveal the nature and glory of the one true God, not just to Israel but to all nations. The preacher’s approach is deeply theological and philosophical, focusing on the implications of God’s self-revelation.

God's Sovereignty and Mercy: Understanding His Purpose (Desiring God) interprets Exodus 9:16 through the lens of Romans 9, emphasizing that God’s purpose in raising Pharaoh and enduring his resistance was to display both His wrath and His power, but ultimately to make known the riches of His glory to the "vessels of mercy." The preacher highlights the real patience God showed toward Pharaoh, the real guilt and blameworthiness of Pharaoh, and the real sovereignty of God in the process. The sermon’s unique angle is its insistence that the ultimate purpose is not judgment itself, but the revelation of God’s glory to those who receive mercy, and that seeing God’s wrath and power enhances the appreciation of His mercy.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility(Desiring God) offers a detailed interpretation of Exodus 9:16 by connecting it directly to Romans 9:17 and 9:22, emphasizing that God's purpose in raising up Pharaoh was to display His power and proclaim His name throughout the earth. The sermon uniquely explores the Greek participle translated as "desiring" and debates whether it should be rendered "although" or "because," ultimately arguing for "because" based on the logical flow and the connection to Exodus 9:16. This linguistic detail shapes the understanding that God's sovereign purpose is not arbitrary but intentional, rooted in His desire to reveal His power and glory. The sermon also uses the analogy of the potter and the clay to illustrate God's right to act according to His purposes, reinforcing the idea that God's actions toward Pharaoh are justified by His overarching aim to make His name known.

Finding Joy in God: The Path to Glorification(Desiring God) provides a novel interpretive angle by contrasting Pharaoh's role in Exodus 9:16 with the concept of glorifying God through enjoyment of Him. The sermon highlights that Pharaoh glorified God not by enjoying Him, but by being the object of God's power and wrath, thus serving as evidence of God's glory to others. This interpretation introduces the distinction between glorifying God "in us" (through satisfaction in Him) and glorifying God "by us" (through our existence or actions, even if not rooted in joy or faith). The analogy is extended to clarify that God's glorification is not limited to the willing participation of individuals but can also occur through their opposition or destruction, as in Pharaoh's case.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Mercy in Romans 9(Desiring God) interprets Exodus 9:16 as a concrete example of God's actual, not hypothetical, action in history. The sermon argues that Paul's use of "what if" in Romans 9:22 is not speculative but refers back to the real event of God raising up Pharaoh to display His power and proclaim His name, as stated in Exodus 9:16. This interpretation is supported by a close reading of the Greek conjunction and the narrative flow, emphasizing that God's actions are rooted in His desire to uphold His glory and exercise sovereign mercy and hardening as He wills.

Exodus 9:16 Theological Themes:

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Response to Grace (Asbury Church) introduces the theme that God’s acts of mercy—even toward the unrepentant—can become the very means by which hearts are hardened, as seen in Pharaoh’s repeated rejection of compassion. The sermon also explores the Wesleyan concept of prevenient, convincing, justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying grace, applying it to the Exodus narrative to show that God’s grace is universally offered, but human response determines the outcome. This adds a distinctively Arminian/Wesleyan facet to the discussion of sovereignty and hardening.

Understanding God's Sovereignty: Mercy and Hardening Explained (MLJTrust) presents the theological theme that God’s sovereignty is not arbitrary or capricious, but is exercised through the aggravation of existing evil rather than the creation of evil. The preacher insists that God’s hardening of Pharaoh is an active process, but not one that violates Pharaoh’s will or creates sin; rather, God withdraws restraint, emphasizes justice, or displays mercy in ways that intensify existing dispositions. This nuanced view of sovereignty and responsibility is a notable contribution.

God's Sovereignty and Deliverance: The Exodus Narrative (Desiring God) develops the theme that the ultimate purpose of God’s actions in Exodus is the global proclamation of His name and the revelation of His absolute, self-existent being ("I am who I am"). The sermon uniquely ties the meaning of "Yahweh" to the events of Exodus 9:16, arguing that God’s self-revelation as the one true, uncreated, and independent being is the foundation for understanding all of His redemptive acts.

God's Sovereignty and Mercy: Understanding His Purpose (Desiring God) adds the theme that the display of God’s wrath and power against Pharaoh is ultimately for the benefit of the "vessels of mercy," so that they might more fully appreciate the riches of God’s glory. The preacher argues that God’s justice and wrath are necessary for a full revelation of His character, and that the knowledge of God’s justice enhances the experience of His mercy.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility(Desiring God) introduces the theme that God's righteousness is demonstrated in His sovereign choices, specifically in raising up Pharaoh to display His power and name. The sermon adds a nuanced facet by arguing that God's desire to show His wrath and power is not merely a reaction to human sin but an intentional aspect of His divine purpose, which justifies His actions and precludes legitimate human objection. The focus on the logical relationship between God's desire and His endurance of vessels of wrath provides a fresh angle on divine justice and sovereignty.

Finding Joy in God: The Path to Glorification(Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that God can be glorified through individuals who do not enjoy or willingly honor Him, as exemplified by Pharaoh. The sermon develops the idea that true, God-pleasing glorification requires a heart satisfied in God, but God's glory is also displayed through His judgment and power over those who oppose Him. This dual aspect of glorification—through both willing and unwilling agents—offers a unique perspective on the scope of God's glory in human history.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Mercy in Romans 9(Desiring God) emphasizes the theme that God's ultimate goal in exercising mercy and hardening is to make known the riches of His glory to the vessels of mercy. The sermon adds the angle that God's actions toward Pharaoh are not hypothetical but serve as the most ultimate answer in Scripture for why God chooses some and not others, grounding the doctrine of election in the concrete historical example of Exodus 9:16.

Exodus 9:16 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Understanding God's Sovereignty: Mercy and Hardening Explained (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining that the phrase "I have raised you up" in Exodus 9:16 does not mean God created Pharaoh for destruction, but rather that God brought Pharaoh to prominence at a specific historical moment to serve His purposes. The preacher also discusses the cultural and religious context of Egypt, where Pharaoh was seen as a god, and how the plagues were a direct challenge to Egyptian religious beliefs and the power structure of the time.

God's Sovereignty and Deliverance: The Exodus Narrative (Desiring God) offers historical context by referencing God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15, explaining the 400 years of affliction and the timing of the Exodus as part of God’s larger plan. The preacher also notes the significance of the plagues as a demonstration of God’s power over the gods of Egypt and the fulfillment of ancient promises, situating Exodus 9:16 within the broader narrative of God’s dealings with Israel and the nations.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility(Desiring God) provides historical context by situating Exodus 9:16 within the narrative of the plagues and the hardening of Pharaoh's heart. The sermon explains that in the ancient Near Eastern context, Pharaoh was seen as a divine or semi-divine ruler, and God's actions in raising him up and then defeating him were a direct challenge to the prevailing cultural and religious norms. By displaying His power over Pharaoh, God was not only liberating Israel but also demonstrating His supremacy over the gods and rulers of Egypt, making His name known among the nations.

Finding Joy in God: The Path to Glorification(Desiring God) briefly touches on the historical context by noting that Pharaoh's destruction served as a public demonstration of God's power, which was recounted by subsequent generations of Israelites. This retelling reinforced the cultural memory of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing Him, shaping Israel's identity and worship practices.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Mercy in Romans 9(Desiring God) offers contextual insight by highlighting that Paul's reference to Exodus 9:16 in Romans 9 is not merely about historical roles but addresses the eternal destinies of individuals. The sermon underscores that the original context of Exodus 9:16 was God's confrontation with Pharaoh as a representative of human rebellion, and that this event serves as a paradigm for understanding God's dealings with humanity throughout history.

Exodus 9:16 Cross-References in the Bible:

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Response to Grace (Asbury Church) references several passages to expand on Exodus 9:16, including Romans 9 (Paul’s discussion of election and hardening), John 1:11 (Israel’s rejection of Jesus), Luke 14:26 (the comparative language of love and hate), John 14:6 (the exclusivity of Christ), Hosea (the inclusion of Gentiles), and Isaiah (the remnant of Israel). These references are used to show the continuity of God’s purpose in making His name known and the necessity of responding to grace.

Understanding God's Sovereignty: Mercy and Hardening Explained (MLJTrust) provides an extensive list of cross-references: Genesis 45:7-8 and 50:20 (Joseph’s brothers’ evil actions used by God for good), Psalm 105:25 (God turning the Egyptians’ hearts), John 12:37-41 (God blinding and hardening), Acts 2:23 and 4:27-28 (God’s sovereignty in the crucifixion of Christ), Romans 11:8 (God giving Israel a spirit of stupor), 2 Thessalonians 2:11 (God sending a strong delusion), 1 Peter 2:8 (those appointed to stumble), Jude 4 (men ordained to condemnation), James 1:13 (God does not tempt with evil), and Romans 1 and 7 (God giving people over, the law aggravating sin). Each reference is used to support the idea that God’s sovereignty operates through, not against, human responsibility and existing dispositions.

God's Sovereignty and Deliverance: The Exodus Narrative (Desiring God) cross-references Genesis 15 (God’s promise to Abraham), Exodus 3 (the revelation of God’s name), and multiple passages in Exodus (7:5, 7:17, 8:22, 10:2, 14:4) where God declares His purpose to make His name known. The preacher also references John 8:56 and John 1:14 to connect the revelation of "I am" to Jesus Christ, showing the continuity of God’s self-revelation from Exodus to the New Testament.

God's Sovereignty and Mercy: Understanding His Purpose (Desiring God) references Romans 9 (Paul’s interpretation of Exodus 9:16), Exodus 10 (Pharaoh’s opportunity for repentance), and the broader narrative of the Exodus to illustrate the interplay of God’s patience, wrath, and mercy.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility(Desiring God) cross-references Romans 9:17, 9:22, and the analogy of the potter and the clay (Romans 9:21) to Exodus 9:16, showing how Paul uses the story of Pharaoh to illustrate God's sovereign right to show mercy or harden as He wills. The sermon also references the broader narrative of the plagues in Exodus and the Red Sea crossing as demonstrations of God's power and the proclamation of His name.

Finding Joy in God: The Path to Glorification(Desiring God) references Matthew 5:16 ("let your light so shine before others..."), 1 Corinthians 13:3 ("if I give away all I have... but have not love, I gain nothing"), and Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:25) to contrast outward works with inward satisfaction in God. These passages are used to support the claim that true glorification of God must arise from a heart that enjoys Him, while also acknowledging that God's glory can be displayed through judgment, as in the case of Pharaoh (Exodus 9:16).

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Mercy in Romans 9(Desiring God) references Romans 9:14-23, especially verses 17-18 and 22-23, to connect Paul's argument about God's justice and freedom in election to the historical example of Pharaoh in Exodus 9:16. The sermon also alludes to the broader narrative of Israel's rejection and the fulfillment of God's promises, using these cross-references to reinforce the theological significance of Exodus 9:16.

Exodus 9:16 Christian References outside the Bible:

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Response to Grace (Asbury Church) explicitly references John Wesley, quoting from his sermon "The Repentance of Believers" to explain the dynamics of repentance and faith in relation to God’s grace. The preacher uses Wesley’s categories of prevenient, convincing, justifying, and sanctifying grace to frame the process by which individuals respond to God’s call, applying this framework to the story of Pharaoh and the Israelites.

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Mercy in Romans 9(Desiring God) explicitly references John Piper's own scholarly work, "The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23," noting that the book was the result of extensive study and wrestling with the implications of Romans 9 and Exodus 9:16. Piper's work is cited as a resource for those seeking a deeper exegetical and theological understanding of the passage, particularly for readers interested in the original Greek and Hebrew texts.

Exodus 9:16 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Understanding God's Sovereignty and Our Response to Grace (Asbury Church) uses several secular analogies to illustrate the difference between human expectations and God’s purposes. The preacher compares the Israelites’ limited vision to thinking of a "toy poodle" when God is thinking "great dane," or a "mouse" versus a "capybara," and a "lantern shark" versus a "whale shark," to show the vastness of God’s plan compared to human assumptions. These vivid animal analogies help the congregation grasp the scale of God’s intentions in raising up Pharaoh and making His name known.