Exodus 14:17

Exodus 14:17

Exodus 14:17 continues the dramatic drama: God says He will harden the Egyptians’ hearts so they will pursue, and in doing so, God’s power and name will be honored. This hardening serves multiple purposes in the narrative: it manifests God’s sovereignty over Pharaoh, ensures the sea-crossing becomes a definitive act of salvation, and provides a public display of God’s glory against Egypt’s gods. The phrase “I will get me honour upon Pharaoh” frames this as a theophany of divine glory through judgment and deliverance. The Egyptians’ pursuit will culminate in visible demonstrations of God’s power, not merely to free Israel but to reveal Yahweh’s supremacy to the nations.

This verse engages with challenging questions about God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. While it raises questions about hardening of hearts, the immediate theological thrust is that God uses even human stubbornness to accomplish his purposes and to manifest his holiness. It reinforces that God’s glory is shown through both mercy to the afflicted and justice upon oppressors. This is a sober reminder that God’s plan includes the rightful judgment of oppression and the ultimate vindication of his people.

For readers today, this raises questions about personal stubbornness and God’s larger plan. It invites humility in recognizing that God may be shaping events beyond our sight. Practical steps: remain faithful in the long arc of God’s plan, avoid taking vengeance into your own hands, and trust that God’s glory is at stake in every history-making moment. In personal life, this might mean praying for justice and mercy in complex situations, even when the outcomes aren’t immediately clear.

Cross-References: Romans 9:17-23; Psalm 76:10; Isaiah 45:21