Day 04 - Kings, Power, and the One True King

Today was a deep dive into power—how humans chase it, how they wield it, and how God redefines it.

Our first stop was the stunning Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari), the lady pharaoh. She posed as a man, dressed as a man, and even arranged to be buried among the male kings. She usurped the throne from her stepson (Thutmose III) and legitimized her reign by claiming divine daughter to the god Amun-Ra. Her story is a striking example of the relentless human desire to rule, to be in control, and to be the one on top. Her temple stands as a monument to ambition—proof of how far people will go to grasp and hold onto power.

Next, we visited Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Rameses III. The first thing you see is an image repeated across countless temples in Egypt: the pharaoh, standing tall, gripping his enemies in one hand while raising his weapon in the other. It’s one of the longest-standing, most successful marketing campaigns in history—one that declares, I have a mighty hand, the outstretched arm, the one who smites his enemies.

And yet, it is into this very culture, into this very imagery, that Yahweh speaks. Over 25 times in the Bible, God uses these same words to declare His supremacy: I will strike Pharaoh with my mighty hand, my outstretched arm, and he will let my people go. Pharaoh thought he was in control, but the Yahweh turned his own message against him.

This was also a powerful place to reflect on Moses and his preparation. Raised in Pharaoh’s palace, steeped in this culture of dominance and power, Moses had to be reshaped by God. He spent 40 years as a shepherd, learning to lead not with force, but with patience, care, and humility. God wasn’t just preparing him to do the right thing, but to do the right thing the right way. Moses would not lead God’s people like an Egyptian pharaoh, but like a shepherd with God’s heart.

We wrapped up the day at the Valley of the Kings, where some 62 tombs of pharaohs have been discovered. Each one was built with the hope of an eternal legacy, yet each one stands as a reminder that even the greatest kings eventually lay down in the dust.

There is one King who entered a tomb and walked out victorious. Jesus had more power than Hatshepsut could have ever imagined—yet He laid it all down. Instead of ruling through force, He served. Instead of grasping power, He surrendered. Instead of crushing His enemies, He died for them. And because of that, God has given Him the name that is above every name.

When you step into the world of the Bible, the words of the Bible come to life….

Jerrell