YHWH vs. Pharaoh (Exodus 7-10)
The literary complexity and beauty of the next section of Exodus can be overwhelming. If one takes into account the sign of the staff-turned-to-serpent and the Passover/Death of the First Born, the structure is even more interesting. You have an introductory sign, then three sets of three plagues, then the climax. Along the way there are repeating motifs and escalating things happening that can bog one down endlessly finding patterns. From there the temptation is to find hidden meanings and messages.
But, ultimately, the lead-up to the Exodus event is all about one thing: YHWH demonstrating His absolute power and sovereignty in Creation. No power on earth, be it the most powerful government of mankind or the most complex and overarching religious systems devised, has anything on the Creator of the universe.
We even see repeatedly that Pharaoh is caused to reject God’s demands, (either from his own will or forced to do so by YHWH) as a means of solidifying the message. No one can hope to resist God’s will. God toys with Pharaoh—the mightiest man on Earth at the time, even considered a god—as one would an ant.
This is helpful to remember always. God’s plans are always primarily about Him and His glory; His purposes, not us. We tend to think God should meet our needs when we want Him to, but there is usually a greater purpose in view. Either we need to learn something along the way, the world around us does, or usually both. God could have freed His people at any time, and with no fuss whatsoever. But instead God allowed suffering (both of His people and the Egyptians) to reveal Himself in creation, and to set events in motion that would ultimately lead to the restoration of His creation.
But, ultimately, the lead-up to the Exodus event is all about one thing: YHWH demonstrating His absolute power and sovereignty in Creation. No power on earth, be it the most powerful government of mankind or the most complex and overarching religious systems devised, has anything on the Creator of the universe.
We even see repeatedly that Pharaoh is caused to reject God’s demands, (either from his own will or forced to do so by YHWH) as a means of solidifying the message. No one can hope to resist God’s will. God toys with Pharaoh—the mightiest man on Earth at the time, even considered a god—as one would an ant.
This is helpful to remember always. God’s plans are always primarily about Him and His glory; His purposes, not us. We tend to think God should meet our needs when we want Him to, but there is usually a greater purpose in view. Either we need to learn something along the way, the world around us does, or usually both. God could have freed His people at any time, and with no fuss whatsoever. But instead God allowed suffering (both of His people and the Egyptians) to reveal Himself in creation, and to set events in motion that would ultimately lead to the restoration of His creation.
Comments
Post a Comment