God's Purpose in Judgments

Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God. (Romans 11:22a, NKJV)

The grace of God is a wonderful doctrine to study. It is easy to bask in the glow of the thought of grace -- God's unmerited favor toward us. As fallen, sinful human beings, we can only stand before a holy God and ask for His mercy -- knowing we deserve only condemnation. Yet God chooses to extend grace to us in offering forgiveness and eternal, new life through His Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. So grace is also defined as through the acronym GRACE -- God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

Relishing this doctrine is good -- but if we only focus on His grace, we risk knowing God only as a great big "Santa Claus" figure who wouldn't hurt a flea. Clearly, this makes it hard to convince a sinner of the danger of eternal torment in Hell. Therefore, the Bible exhorts us to consider both the grace of God -- His "goodness" referenced in this verse from Romans -- and the judgment of God -- His "severity". Of course, if we focus only on His judgment, we risk becoming legalistic and cruel. We must focus on both aspects of God's nature. He is a God of grace and judgment -- grace extended to all through our LORD Jesus Christ and judgment extended to all who refuse His grace.

The account of Moses confronting Pharaoh with the command of God to "Let my people go!" (Exodus 5:1, NKJV) is a classic illustration of both the grace and judgment of God. Pharaoh would not accept God's grace which was granted to him by the word of God, by signs, and by warnings. Pharaoh refused to heed God's grace. Therefore, he brought the judgment of God on himself and his nation (for further treatment of the issue of God hardening the heart of Pharaoh, see the message "Who Had the Hard Heart -- God or Pharaoh?").

The question before us in this dramatic story is simple: What was God's purpose in the devastating judgments upon the land, property, and people of Egypt? A whole nation was destroyed because of a disobedient king -- Pharaoh. Why didn't God simply judge Pharaoh by killing him and sparing the rest of the nation?

Scripture: Exodus 3:19-20, 6:7, 7:4-5, 9:15-16, 10:1-2

Main Thought: A variety of circumstances were brought to a climax in the judgment of Egypt. In the awesome judgments, God revealed Himself, His mighty power, and His sovereign will to the whole world. His purpose in these judgments included:

Forcing Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people from bondage. (Exo. 3:19-20)

Revealing Himself as the Deliverer to the children of Israel. (Exo. 6:7)

Revealing Himself as the One true God to the people of Egypt. (Exo. 7:4-5)

Showing His mighty power and absolute authority to the whole world. (Exo. 9:15-16)

Providing a testimony to future generations that we might know this mighty God. (Exo. 10:1-2)

19 "But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go". (Exodus 3:19-20, NKJV)

1. Forcing Pharaoh to free the Hebrew people from bondage.

God had a plan to bring the descendents of Abraham into the land of Canaan (ref. Genesis 15:13-21) -- a rich land described as one "flowing with milk and honey". (Exo. 3:8, NKJV) God has His hand in the history of this world. A major focus of His work in history revolved around the nation of Israel. The descendents of Abraham are God's chosen people through whom the Great Deliverer from sin would be born -- Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

An obstacle in this plan was the Pharaoh of Egypt. Some four hundred years earlier, another Pharaoh had enslaved the Hebrew people in Egypt. This enslavement was carried on by subsequent Pharaohs. The one in power during the time of God's deliverance is described by God at the outset as having a very hard heart toward God. God Himself declared that He was sure Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go, "not even by a mighty hand". (Exo. 3:19, NKJV) He had a stubborn heart concerning God -- Pharaoh even considered himself a "god" before the people of Egypt. This was a classic confrontation between pride and self-will versus humility and God's will.

The devastating plagues were God's judgment of Pharaoh's rebellion. The plagues forced him to reconsider his decision to keep the Hebrew people as his slaves. Judgment has the positive effect of aligning even our stubborn will with God's good and perfect will.

Consider a parent trying to teach a young child not to touch a hot oven. "The oven is hot so stay back!" a parent cries. A stubborn child inches closer. "Stop -- do not touch the oven or you will get burned!" the parent warns. The stubborn child continues closer and reaches out his hand. The parent firmly slaps the child's hand bringing the swift, sharp pain that caused the hand to retract. As the child cries, he considers the command of the parent and the pain of judgment. If the child then complies with the parent's will, the child is safe with the memory of a sore hand. If the stubborn child insists on touching the oven anyway, the judgment will be much worse -- a burned hand. In either case, the judgment served to align the stubborn child with the good and loving will of the parent.

Pharaoh acted just like a stubborn child in resisting God's command to let the people go. Because of this, God had to enact increasingly devastating judgments on the land of Egypt. After ten plagues, Pharaoh finally complied. Even then, he went back on his word and chased the Israelites to the Red Sea. The judgment at the Red Sea was the destruction of his army and possibly Pharaoh himself (the Bible does not say whether Pharaoh was in the Red Sea when God caused the water to come back together).

Judgments reveal to us that God is God and you are not -- a very helpful truth to remember. The appropriate measure of judgment enforces a very literal view of God's justice. It makes the connection between disobedience and consequences very easy to see. In this account, God had a plan, Pharaoh resisted, and the consequences of his disobedience were a ruined country.

5 "And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians'." (Exo. 6:5-7, NKJV)

2. Revealing Himself as the Deliverer to the children of Israel.

The Hebrew people were slaves for several generations. They were in total bondage to a cruel master -- the nation of Egypt which was the greatest nation in the world at that time. Egypt was great in terms of its wealth, power, and prestige. As a result, the Israelites had no hope. What man could oppose the mighty Pharaoh? The stories of their forefathers -- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -- must have become like fairy tales in the scorching heat of the Egyptian sun. They were obviously abandoned and forgotten.

In this light, God had to reveal to them that they were neither forgotten nor alone:

"I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel"

"I have remembered My covenant"

"I will bring you out "

"I will rescue you from their bondage"

"I will redeem you "

"I will take you as My people, and I will be your God"

God viewed His relationship to the descendents of Abraham as that of a father to his children. (Exo. 4:22-23) In His judgment of Egypt, He showed Himself strong to His children. Just as any parent would fight to the death if one of their children was attacked, God fought strong and hard for His children whom He loved. Before this, the Israelites had the stories of the God who appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But now they knew God by His mighty deeds. Specifically, they would know God as the Deliverer who brought them out of bondage in Egypt.

God has the strength and desire to free you from your own bondage. While you may not be in physical bondage to another person or country, you may have found yourself in bondage to a sin you cannot shake:

an addiction to drugs or food -- that ends up destroying your life;

a need for the approval of others at any cost -- even if it destroys your ethics and morality;

a need to control others at any cost -- even if it hurts you and them;

an ungodly desire for material things -- which traps you in debt;

an insistence being the master of your own life -- finding your master is a fool.

God has the power to deliver from bondage even the most hard-core sinner. Have you found the freedom that God wants you to have? Turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ and turn away from your sin. You will find the One who is strong and mighty to deliver you! Simply lean with all your weight on Him -- for He loves you and will save you. "The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me" (Ps 116:6, NIV).

4 "But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them." (Exod 7:4-5, NKJV)

3. Revealing Himself as the One true God to the people of Egypt.

Because of Pharaoh's stubborn defiance, God executed judgment of Pharaoh's land, property, and people. Each of the plagues brought on by God seem to be directed at one of the many "gods" or idols in the Egyptian culture:

Plague #1 The Nile river turned to blood -- Hapi, Isis, and Khnum were some of the "gods" and "goddesses" of the Nile.

Plague #2 Frogs -- Heqet, "goddess" of birth, with frog-head.

Plague #3 Dust turned to Gnats/Lice -- Set, "god" of the desert.

Plague #4 Flies -- Uatchit, a "god" possibly represented by the fly.

Plague #5 Livestock pestilence -- Hathor, "goddess" with a cow-head; Apis, the bull "god".

Plague #6 Boils -- Sekhmet, "goddess" with power over disease; Sunu, the pestilence "god"; Isis, "goddess" of healing.

Plague #7 Hail -- Nut, the sky "goddess".

Plague #8 Locusts -- Osiris, "god" of crops and fertility.

Plague #9 Darkness -- Re and Horus, both sun "gods".

Plague #10 Death of firstborn -- Min, "god" of reproduction; Isis, "goddess" who protected children; Pharaoh's firstborn son, a "god" before the people. *1

None of the many "gods" or "goddesses" had any power to stop these judgments. An idol of wood, stone, or metal is a creation of the one who made it -- it has no magic, no power, no force within itself. Through these judgments, God revealed to the Egyptians the futility in worshipping idols. There is only One true and living God -- the Creator of all things. He had been known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Now He is the LORD GOD revealed to the Egyptians with great power and force. His judgments were complete. Therefore, He showed Himself a God to all people, not just His chosen people.

God rules even over your life -- it is wise to heed Him. The Bible makes it plain that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you" (Proverbs 9:10-11, NKJV). Though it took awesome judgments, because of them the Egyptians were able to learn to fear God -- giving Him the honor, reverance, and worship that is due Him. Have you learned to fear God? If you do, you will enjoy as long a life as is possible in God's plan for you. If not, then beware of God's judgments lest they cut short your life as they did for many in Egypt.

15 "Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth". (Exodus 9:15-16, NKJV)

4. Showing His mighty power and absolute authority to the whole world.

God could have simply destroyed Pharaoh. He could have willed the Egyptians out of existence from this Earth. In verse 15, God says He could have sent a pestilence (plague/disease) which would have destroyed the people completely. But then who would be left to testify about God?

God had a greater purpose in NOT judging the people in this way. Through the ten plagues, God was able to demonstrate His power over all to the Egyptians. He also used these judgments as a way to declare His name (that is, His authority) throughout the world.

Consider a policeman wearing everyday clothes. He strikes no fear in the hearts of people. His authority is not revealed and therefore not recognized. When this same man puts on his uniform, badge, and gun, he then reveals his authority. Raising his gun, the policeman reveals his power also. When would a policeman need to reveal his power and authority? In the face of wickedness or evil!

As a parent, we also must reveal our power and authority to our children sometimes. Perhaps we must do it often. We do this consistently to let the child know who is the boss. This helps the child to recognize and, hopefully, submit to your authority. In these judgments, God showed us who is the real boss -- He is! His power and authority over every part of our lives is without debate. So let us strive to keep His power and authority in clear view that we might become obedient sons and daughters rather than a strong-willed children.

1 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD". (Exodus 10:1-2, NKJV)

5. Providing a testimony to future generations that we might know this mighty God.

This account of the battle between Pharaoh and God -- represented by Moses and Aaron -- lets us see the mighty hand of God in Egypt. There was a two-fold effect in these judgments:

Pharaoh hardened and turned away from God -- causing the destruction of his nation.

Israelites believed and feared God -- causing them to grow in faith.

Look at the effect of the sun on this Earth. The same sun rays that melt the ice in a glass also harden the clay of the Earth.

In the same way, God's judgments can cause a person to resist further or draw close in holy fear. This in no way says that God is somehow less than good or holy. It is indicative of the attitude of one's heart in response to genuine revelation of God's will. Therefore, reminding ourselves of both the grace and judgment of God is necessary for a proper view of God's nature. On a more practical level, it reminds us to avoid those things that bring condemnation to us. As the writer of Hebrews points out:

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. (Heb 3:12-14, NKJV)

The deceitfulness of sin is unbelief or disobedience to God. It causes hardening of the "spiritual arteries" in your soul. Be warned not to continue in willful disobedience to God lest you become hardened in your rebellion, as was Pharaoh. Instead, walk with God in humility and devotion. Rejoice in the One who is able to save and to judge -- to save those who love Him demonstrating His mercy; to judge those who reject Him demonstrating His justice.

Reflect on YOUR life: The mighty hand of God was displayed in awesome judgments against Egypt. These were not capricious acts by God -- He had a definite purpose in them. He did not have to pummel the Egyptians just to prove how tough He is -- He used the judgments to demonstrate essential attributes of His character and actions to a pagan land of idol-worshippers. This was done to provide us a legacy of the knowledge of God -- the One who rules over all people, all nations, all political leaders, and all so-called powers. Rejoice and be glad you who worship the true and living God! For eventually, either willingly or unwillingly:

10 ... at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11, NKJV)

End Notes:

*1 Walvoord, John F. and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books: USA, copyright 1985, p. 120.

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Copyright 1999, Randy Lariscy.