The Exodus isn’t about Moses. It’s all about God’s glory.
And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen. Exodus 14:17-18
He saved them for his name’s sake. Psalm 106:8
For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Romans 9:17
David killing the giant Goliath isn’t about a super-shepherd. It’s about God winning the unwinnable battle for His people.
This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand. 1 Samuel 17:46
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young Hebrews living in Babylonian captivity. They refused to bow down to a statue that was built to honor the king. As punishment, they were thrown into a blazing, fiery furnace. When they are rescued by the power of God, the violent King praises God.
Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way. Daniel 3:28-29
In the same book of the Bible, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den. When God miraculously rescues Daniel, the new king makes a similar decree.
I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:26-27
These last two stories aren’t promises from God to always rescue His people. Throughout the centuries, lots of believers have been martyred by flames and lions. God didn’t always shut the lion’s mouths or make His people fireproof. In some cases, the greater glory given to God was in the death of His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15
This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God. John 21:19
God’s grace of shepherding and caring for His people is for “his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1-3). God’s mercy toward sinners in forgiving and forgetting sins, He says is “for my own sake” (Isaiah 43:25). God restrains His anger, “for the sake of my praise” (Isaiah 48:9).
This reality is not limited to just Bible stories. Your story and mine are part of the grand narrative of the glory of God. Even the trying and refining moments in our lives are for God’s glory (Isaiah 48:10-11). All of history is His story. “God is for God.”
Does that make God an egomaniac?
If God is in sovereign control over the universe and made everything for the praise of His glory, does that make Him a maniacal, controlling narcissist? Is God an egomaniac? In the human mind, when we hear “God is for God” we might be tempted to accuse God of being and acting in sinfully, self-centered ways. But what if from the beginning God’s glory and human happiness were essentially one and the same thing?
To answer that question we need to return to the biblical account of creation. God created Adam and Eve and placed them in a beautiful and bountiful garden. They were in perfect fellowship with their Creator. God had given them everything they needed, including each other. God had done this for His glory and for their joy and satisfaction. However, Satan soon assaulted the peace of the garden. At the foundation of his attack was the lie that God was keeping a higher level of happiness from humanity. The serpent said, “God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). The serpent, Satan, had rejected fellowship with God and now he was enticing humanity to follow the same treacherous path. Tragically, Eve believed Satan and Adam followed suit. Their fellowship with God and their happiness were instantly destroyed.
Rebellion against God (sin) is believing happiness and fulfillment are found somewhere other than God. Saint Augustine writes, “You made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they rest in you.” There is no higher joy, satisfaction, or pleasure than being in friendship with our creator. King David writes, “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Like a loving parent wanting what is best for their children, God is offering what is best for us. And what is best for us is Him. Pastor John Piper often says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” God’s glory and human happiness are inseparable.
Even parts of your story or mine that are embarrassing or shameful or confusing or painful are part of God’s glorious story and ultimately for our good. The Apostle Paul in Romans writes, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).