Romans 9:17 For the Scriptures says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
I love fireworks. They are beautiful to watch and the bang is worth the effort. But I don’t love going to watch fireworks with a large crowd. In the past we would find a good place to watch that was beyond the normal viewing stand. We might miss out on the ground displays, but we could see all the high in the sky blasts.
My most memorable fireworks came while I was a soldier in Germany in the 1970’s. I was stationed in Frankfurt, a very large city. My barracks were on the north side of the city, on a hill, overlooking the whole city. I could see a panorama of the whole festivities as the Germans celebrated New Years Eve. Thousands of fireworks were set off across the city for hours, and I had the best seat in the house!
That year I had missed out on the the Fourth of July fireworks, since we were in Germany. I had probably been working at a German festival as part of my duties in the US Army Band. I played “Roll Out the Barrel” instead of Stars and Stripes forever. I had missed out. And this was the Bicentennial year, 1976.
Now you might look at this situation and say, “You missed out,” which I did. But there was a mercy in this. I didn’t like the crowds.
Our text identifies a mercy that Pharaoh had received. He was given the opportunity to be used by the LORD in a powerful way and be the proclaimer of God’s power. If you remember the history, he was given multiple changes to change his mind and bless the LORD’s work and bless the Israelites as they left slavery. But instead of blessing, he was hardened and fell under the hand of Almighty God.
The LORD had a good purpose of Pharaoh. We tend to forget this. He wanted the best for him. He had a blessing just waiting for his obedience to clear the way. Can you imagine if he had blessed the Jewish people instead of trying to destroy them? History would tell a very different narrative about Egypt.
Pharaoh had a role to play in God’s plan. There was no need for Israel to be driven from Egypt. God used the driving, but there was no need. If Egypt had blessed them, and in turned blessed the LORD, that could have served the purpose of righteousness in this world.
Pharaoh had a choice, just like all the rest of us. He had a role to play, just like us. Israel had a role to play. Jacob had a role to play. Leadership!
The problem lies in our unwillingness to accept the role the LORD has given us. And if we don’t step up and fulfill the role, the LORD will raise up others to fill our shoes. We will have to vacate our position and others will receive the blessing of the LORD instead of us.
Israel lost their position of leadership because they failed in faith. They trusted keeping the Law as a means to right relationship with God, an endeavor that was doomed to fail, since it was an impossible task. If their hearts had been open to receive God’s mercy, then history would be different.
Are you open to what the LORD wants to do, or do you have an agenda that must be carried out no matter what?
The Arnold Journey 