Exodus 9:16 - but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth;
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 9:16" mean?
Exodus 9:16 is a powerful verse spoken by God to Pharaoh through Moses during the plagues inflicted upon Egypt. To understand its meaning, let's break it down:
"But indeed for this cause I have made you stand...": This phrase is crucial. It indicates that God has a specific purpose for allowing Pharaoh to continue to exist and even to remain in power despite his resistance to releasing the Israelites. The phrase "made you stand" can be interpreted in a few ways:
Preserved his life: Despite the devastating plagues, Pharaoh hasn't died. God has actively kept him alive.
Allowed him to remain in power: God could have easily removed Pharaoh from his throne, but He permitted him to remain as ruler of Egypt.
Strengthened or hardened his resolve: Some interpretations suggest God strengthened Pharaoh's resistance (though Pharaoh already had a hard heart) to further demonstrate His power. This does not mean God forced Pharaoh to be evil, but rather allowed Pharaoh to exercise his free will in resisting God.
"...to show you my power...": This is the first reason God has allowed Pharaoh to persist. God wants to demonstrate His unparalleled might and authority. The plagues weren't just about freeing the Israelites; they were a public display of God's ability to control nature, defeat Egyptian gods, and exert dominion over all the earth. Pharaoh, in his arrogance, challenged God's power. God's response was to showcase His power in increasingly dramatic ways.
"...and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.": This is the second and overarching reason. God's ultimate goal is that His name, representing His character, attributes, and reputation, would be known and revered globally. The events in Egypt, the plagues, the exodus, and the defeat of Pharaoh were not meant to be confined to the Israelites or Egypt. They were intended to be a testimony to all nations about the true God and His sovereignty. News of these events would spread, causing other nations to fear and recognize God's power.
In Summary:
Exodus 9:16 reveals that God allowed Pharaoh to remain in power for two key reasons:
1. To demonstrate His power: The plagues were a way for God to showcase His supremacy over the Egyptian gods and all of creation.
2. To spread His fame: The events in Egypt were meant to be a testimony to the world, declaring the true God and His greatness to all nations.
Important Considerations:
Free Will: This verse often raises questions about free will and divine sovereignty. God didn't force Pharaoh to be evil. Pharaoh's stubbornness and pride were his own choices. God, in His sovereignty, used Pharaoh's choices to accomplish His larger purposes.
God's Glory: The verse highlights that God's ultimate goal is His own glory. While freeing the Israelites was a significant act of mercy and justice, it was also a means to an end: revealing God's character and establishing His reputation among the nations.
Relevance Today: The themes of power, sovereignty, and the declaration of God's name are still relevant. Believers today are called to witness to God's power and character through their lives and actions, contributing to the ongoing declaration of His name throughout the earth.
In short, Exodus 9:16 is a declaration of God's sovereignty and His purpose in using even difficult situations (like dealing with a stubborn Pharaoh) to demonstrate His power and spread His fame throughout the world.
Exodus 9:16 - but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you my power, and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth;
What does "Exodus 9:16" mean?
Exodus 9:16 is a powerful verse spoken by God to Pharaoh through Moses during the plagues inflicted upon Egypt. To understand its meaning, let's break it down:
"But indeed for this cause I have made you stand...": This phrase is crucial. It indicates that God has a specific purpose for allowing Pharaoh to continue to exist and even to remain in power despite his resistance to releasing the Israelites. The phrase "made you stand" can be interpreted in a few ways:
Preserved his life: Despite the devastating plagues, Pharaoh hasn't died. God has actively kept him alive.
Allowed him to remain in power: God could have easily removed Pharaoh from his throne, but He permitted him to remain as ruler of Egypt.
Strengthened or hardened his resolve: Some interpretations suggest God strengthened Pharaoh's resistance (though Pharaoh already had a hard heart) to further demonstrate His power. This does not mean God forced Pharaoh to be evil, but rather allowed Pharaoh to exercise his free will in resisting God.
"...to show you my power...": This is the first reason God has allowed Pharaoh to persist. God wants to demonstrate His unparalleled might and authority. The plagues weren't just about freeing the Israelites; they were a public display of God's ability to control nature, defeat Egyptian gods, and exert dominion over all the earth. Pharaoh, in his arrogance, challenged God's power. God's response was to showcase His power in increasingly dramatic ways.
"...and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.": This is the second and overarching reason. God's ultimate goal is that His name, representing His character, attributes, and reputation, would be known and revered globally. The events in Egypt, the plagues, the exodus, and the defeat of Pharaoh were not meant to be confined to the Israelites or Egypt. They were intended to be a testimony to all nations about the true God and His sovereignty. News of these events would spread, causing other nations to fear and recognize God's power.
In Summary:
Exodus 9:16 reveals that God allowed Pharaoh to remain in power for two key reasons:
1. To demonstrate His power: The plagues were a way for God to showcase His supremacy over the Egyptian gods and all of creation.
2. To spread His fame: The events in Egypt were meant to be a testimony to the world, declaring the true God and His greatness to all nations.
Important Considerations:
Free Will: This verse often raises questions about free will and divine sovereignty. God didn't force Pharaoh to be evil. Pharaoh's stubbornness and pride were his own choices. God, in His sovereignty, used Pharaoh's choices to accomplish His larger purposes.
God's Glory: The verse highlights that God's ultimate goal is His own glory. While freeing the Israelites was a significant act of mercy and justice, it was also a means to an end: revealing God's character and establishing His reputation among the nations.
Relevance Today: The themes of power, sovereignty, and the declaration of God's name are still relevant. Believers today are called to witness to God's power and character through their lives and actions, contributing to the ongoing declaration of His name throughout the earth.
In short, Exodus 9:16 is a declaration of God's sovereignty and His purpose in using even difficult situations (like dealing with a stubborn Pharaoh) to demonstrate His power and spread His fame throughout the world.