“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that
My Name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16
Not many would not compare themselves with Pharaoh. He’s not exactly a role model. Because he continued to harden his heart towards God refusing to release the Israelites, Pharaoh and the Egyptians had already faced plagues of blood, frogs, gnats and flies by the time we get to Exodus 9. That would be enough for me to let the Israelites go! And yet, Pharaoh didn’t, even after the plagues of livestock, boils and hail in chapter 9. Why? I believe the answer is found in Exodus 9:16.
God uses everything – even a hard heart. God tells Moses that He could have sent the full force of plagues against them and wiped them off the face of the earth (v. 13-16). Instead, God used Pharaoh’s decisions to show His power. Did you notice that officials of Pharaoh’s “who feared the Word of the Lord” heeded Moses warning? (v.20) How many may have fully turned their hearts towards God by the display of His power? Likewise, maybe someone in your circle seems indifferent towards God, a hard heart. Perhaps watching to see how you respond to a difficult circumstance. God has raised each of us to display His power and glory and reach the lost. Allow God to move freely and watch as He softens the hard heart.
Kelly McGaha