“On their gods also the Lord executed judgments.” – Numbers 33:4b
This is often an under-appreciated piece of the Exodus story. Many are familiar with the ten devastating plagues God sent upon Egypt to force them to release the people of Israel from slavery. However, it’s easy to miss how the individual plagues addressed parts of life in Egypt that were supposedly under the authority of some particular Egyptian “god”. The ten plagues weren’t just dramatic displays of God’s power. There were displays of God’s superiority over the various gods of the Egyptian pantheon. The gods that both the people of Egypt AND the people of Israel had been told about for centuries.
The plagues weren’t just the means by which Israel gained freedom. They were how the God of Israel, YHWH, the Living God of the Universe demonstrated His superiority over all supposed rival gods. Each represented a defeat for an Egyptian god. The plagues announced God’s transcendent reality and presence to the people of Egypt (some of whom decided to leave with the Israelites) and began to teach Israel about their God. That He is ever-present. That He is all-powerful. That He has authority over every element, creature, and aspect of life. That He is worthy to be trusted, followed, worshipped, and obeyed.
This is why God was most glorified by Pharaoh’s heart being hardened to continue down the destructive path that wicked king most desired. Through those many plagues, God denounced and demonstrated that the idolatrous worship of many gods was futile and false. He made clear that there is only one King of Kings and Lord of Lords: YHWH, God Most High. This is true yesterday, today, and forever. The Great “I AM” Who sent His Son to lead us out of slavery to sin and death through His own death and resurrection. #FollowJesus