And I will gain glory though Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:17b-18

I found it troubling as I read through the book of Exodus how many times Pharaoh changed his mind about letting the Israelites go. I kept wondering why chapter after chapter. 

God brought about plagues and all sorts of ugliness on the Egyptians, but every time Pharaoh said the Israelites could leave, he changed his mind. Pharaoh’s decision always caused worse evils to fall on the Egyptian people, but he did not relent.

As I read further in Exodus, God provided me with an answer to my question. Why? So that “the Egyptians would know that He was Lord.” God wanted it to be evident to all who he was -- Egyptians and Israelites alike. He wanted his glory to shine through the difficult circumstances. As the story progresses, we see how the people feared him and put their trust in him.

Paul even mentions Pharaoh in the book of Romans when speaking of how God’s name was glorified during that time because of him.

God’s glory can shine through hard unpredictable times. People can come to know him even with the slavery of the world on their shoulders. 

God has the ability to set us free from the bondage of sin. He has the ability to forgive us and make his glory shine through us. His presence in our lives causes the rest of the world to wonder about the difference they see in us. It can even draw people to us so that they can come to know that he is the Lord.

God, we acknowledge that you are who you say you are. You are our Lord and Savior. By your mighty hand we know you.

Susan P.