Understanding Exodus 4:21

Exodus 4:21 states: "And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go."

Summary of the Verse Meaning

This verse captures a critical moment in the Exodus narrative, where God prepares Moses for his mission to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

• Divine Commissioning: God instructs Moses about the signs he is to perform in Egypt, which demonstrates God's power and the authority of Moses as His chosen messenger.
• Pharaoh's Hardened Heart: The declaration that God will harden Pharaoh's heart indicates divine sovereignty and the perplexing dynamics of free will versus divine intervention in salvation history.
• Significance of Wonders: The "wonders" mentioned refer to miracles that would display God's might to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites, emphasizing faith and obedience in the face of adversities.

Commentary Insights

According to Matthew Henry, this passage highlights the importance of reliance on God's power to accomplish His purposes, stating that God equips those He calls with the necessary signs and wonders. Additionally, Henry notes that Pharaoh's hardened heart serves as a reminder of God's control over human affairs.

Albert Barnes elaborates on the significance of the miracles that Moses was to perform, stressing that they were not only for Pharaoh but also served to strengthen the faith of the Israelites. He points out that God's action in hardening Pharaoh's heart was part of His greater plan to demonstrate His glory through judgment and liberation.

Adam Clarke emphasizes the idea that God's foreseen hardening of Pharaoh's heart illustrates a profound aspect of divine justice, suggesting that God allows individuals to follow the desires of their own hearts, which in this case leads to Pharaoh's obstinacy against God's will.

Bible Verse Cross-References

• 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..."
• Exodus 7:3 - "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt."
• Exodus 10:1 - "And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him."
• John 12:40 - "He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart..."
• Romans 1:24 - "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts..."
• Hebrews 3:15 - "While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
• Matthew 13:14 - "And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand...”

Connections Between Bible Verses

Exodus 4:21 is pivotal for understanding the interplay between God's sovereignty and human free will, echoing themes found in other scripture passages where divine purpose unfolds through human agency.

• The sovereignty of God is a recurrent theme as seen throughout the Book of Job (Job 38-42), illustrating God's ultimate control over creation and circumstances.
• Instances of hardened hearts appear again in the New Testament, showing the continuity of this theme from Exodus through the Gospels.
• The miracles performed in Exodus parallel those observed in the ministry of Jesus, which leads to a richer understanding of God's workings through history.

Thematic Bible Verse Connections

This verse opens up the thematic exploration of divine calling and the persistence of God's purpose, showcasing how various scriptures speak to similar divine interventions:

• Divine Preparation: 1 Samuel 16:7 - "For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
• The Role of Obedience: James 1:22 - "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Conclusion

Exodus 4:21 serves as a foundational verse illustrating the theme of God's control and human response in the narrative of Israel's deliverance. By performing comparative Bible verse analysis, one can see the rich tapestry of themes of faith, divine intervention, and salvation woven throughout Scripture.

This verse prompts believers to explore the connections between Bible verses, providing a pathway to greater understanding and application of God's Word in their lives.