“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”
Context:The book of Exodus recounts the story of how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, commissioning him to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. God assures Moses that through the plagues and the subsequent deliverance of the Israelites, the Egyptians will come to know that He is the Lord.
God’s Power and Authority:Exodus 7:5 highlights God’s sovereignty, power, and authority. By stretching forth His hand upon Egypt, God demonstrates His ability to bring about mighty acts and fulfill His promises. The plagues that follow serve as a manifestation of God’s power and a means to achieve His purposes.
The Purpose of the Plagues:The plagues were not only intended to secure the release of the Israelites but also to reveal God’s sovereignty and His uniqueness as the true God. The Egyptians worshiped various false gods, and each plague was a direct challenge to one or more of these deities, demonstrating their powerlessness compared to the one true God. Through these acts, God intended to make Himself known to the Egyptians and to show His superiority over their gods.
Divine Revelation:God’s actions in delivering the Israelites were not merely for their sake but also for the sake of the Egyptians. The verse emphasizes that the Egyptians would come to know that God is the Lord. This reveals God’s desire for all people, not just the Israelites, to acknowledge and worship Him as the one true God.
Lessons for Believers:Exodus 7:5 teaches believers several important lessons. First, it reminds us of God’s power and authority over all creation. No earthly power or false god can withstand His hand. Second, it demonstrates that God can use even difficult circumstances to fulfill His purposes and bring about His glory. Finally, it reminds us of God’s desire to reveal Himself to the world. As believers, we have a responsibility to make Him known to others, just as God made Himself known to the Egyptians.
In summary:Exodus 7:5 reveals God’s power, authority, and desire to make Himself known. Through the plagues and the deliverance of the Israelites, God demonstrated His superiority over the false gods of Egypt and brought about a divine revelation among the Egyptians. This verse serves as a reminder for believers to trust in God’s power, fulfill His purposes, and share the knowledge of His existence and greatness with others.
