God raised Pharaoh up to display His power through him and to make His name declared throughout all the earth.
In Exodus 9:16 and Romans 9:17, God states this purpose plainly: 'for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.' Les Feldick emphasizes that the plagues became a witness to the ancient world, and even years later the nations knew what the God of Israel had done to Pharaoh and Egypt.
Exodus 9:16 — God's direct statement to Pharaoh is the foundational answer to why he was raised up.
Romans 9:17 — Paul quotes the Exodus verse to explain that Scripture itself answers why God raised Pharaoh.
Exodus 3:19-20 — God foretold that Pharaoh would refuse and that He would smite Egypt with wonders.
God told Pharaoh through Moses, 'And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth' (Exodus 9:16). This is God's own explanation of the purpose: the exaltation of His power and the worldwide declaration of His name. The apostle Paul later cites the same statement in Romans 9:17: 'For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.' The verse is used as Scripture's own answer to why God raised Pharaoh. Even before the plagues began, God told Moses, 'I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go' (Exodus 3:19-20). The signs were intended to demonstrate God's wonders and secure Israel's release.
Les Feldick teaches that God raised Pharaoh up so that the Lord would be magnified through him. He says God put Pharaoh 'in that position for the purpose of magnifying His own name,' and the plagues became a witness that the ancient world remembered for years (Clips 1, 7). God's intent was to get the glory, not the blame: the human race tends to blame God, but He wanted people to recognize His power, sovereignty, righteousness, and mercy (Clip 1). Les also connects the plagues to Egypt's pagan worship. Each plague was directed against one of the gods of Egypt, showing that pagan polytheism was false and that God could destroy these gods at will (Clip 2). Pharaoh was not a passive robot: through Moses and Aaron God gave him real choices, and Pharaoh repeatedly chose not to let Israel go. His hardening was progressive, not a laser-beam act on his heart (Clip 3). Finally, Les points out that the plagues devastated Egypt economically and historically, and the news spread throughout the ancient world (Clips 5, 7). Egypt's misuse of Israel later brought God's judgment on Egypt itself, underscoring God's sovereign control over nations (Clip 6).
In Exodus 9:16 God declares that He raised Pharaoh up 'for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.' Romans 9:17 repeats this as Scripture's own explanation. This is the clearest statement of purpose.
Les explains that every one of the ten plagues was directed against one of the gods of Egypt. God was proving that Egypt's pagan worship had nothing to do with Him and that He could destroy their gods at will.
Les is careful to show that God did not override Pharaoh's will. Through Moses and Aaron, God put Pharaoh on the spot and gave him the choice to let Israel go or not. Pharaoh chose not to let Israel go, and with each refusal his heart became harder. Les says it was not as though God 'zoomed in on his heart like a laser beam' and fried it.
Les emphasizes that even years later people of the ancient world knew what had happened in Egypt as a result of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dealing with Pharaoh. The plagues made God's name known throughout the earth, just as Exodus 9:16 said they would. Egypt was left in a shambles, and the surrounding nations heard about it.
Les notes that Egypt misused the Jew, and God sovereignly destroyed the nation of Egypt for the way they handled Israel. He draws a parallel to Nebuchadnezzar, whom God used to take Israel captive but then judged for misusing Israel. This is an aspect of God's sovereign dealings with nations.
Why Did God Hate Esau? Romans 9:13 and Sovereignty Explained
an immoral act. Oh, I'll tell you what. You have no idea how low these people were. Verse 42. Then Jesus said unto them, if God were your father, you would love me, for I proceeded forth and came from God. Neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do you not understand my speech or what I'm saying? And he answers his own question, because you cannot hear my word. It never registered with him.
The Two-Fold Purpose for Pharaoh
Les quotes Romans 9:17 to show that God raised Pharaoh so that His power would be seen and His name declared throughout the earth; God intended to receive glory, not blame, and to display His power, sovereignty, righteousness, and mercy.
Plagues Against Egypt's Gods
Les teaches that every plague was directed against one of the gods of Egypt, proving that pagan worship was powerless and that God could destroy it at will.
Pharaoh's Choices and Progressive Hardening
Les shows that God gave Pharaoh real choices through Moses and Aaron; Pharaoh repeatedly refused, and his heart grew harder, rather than God forcing his heart against his will.
God's Forewarning of the Plagues
Les points out that God told Moses in advance that Pharaoh would not let Israel go and that God would smite Egypt with wonders before Pharaoh released them.
Egypt Left in Ruins
Les says Egypt was in a shambles and economically destitute by the time Israel left, showing the devastating effect of God's dealings with Pharaoh.
God's Sovereign Judgment on Egypt
Les draws a parallel with Nebuchadnezzar and notes that God destroyed Egypt for the way it handled the Jew, revealing God's sovereign control over nations.
God's Name Magnified Through Pharaoh
Les teaches that God put Pharaoh in that position to magnify His own name, and the ancient world continued to know years later what God had done to Pharaoh in Egypt.
Exodus 9:16: And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
God's direct statement to Pharaoh is the clearest biblical answer to the question.
Romans 9:17: For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Paul cites the Exodus verse as Scripture's explanation for why Pharaoh was raised.
Exodus 3:19-20: And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
God foretold that Pharaoh would refuse and that the plagues would be the means of securing Israel's release.
God said it plainly: 'for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth' (Exodus 9:16, Romans 9:17). Les adds that the plagues became a widely known witness to God's power.
No. Les teaches that through Moses and Aaron, God put Pharaoh on the spot and gave him a choice. Pharaoh repeatedly chose not to let Israel go, and his heart hardened more with each refusal.
The plagues and the Exodus became known across the ancient world. Les says even years later people knew what the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had done to Pharaoh in Egypt.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did God Hate Esau? Romans 9:13 and Sovereignty Explained