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Bible study, Christians, Egypt, faith, following God, God, hardening your heart, Israelites, Pharaoh
I had a friend post this blog with this quote:
“I have not finished Exodus. Why? Because I got upset at God or at least for what was written about how God purposefully hardened Pharoah’s heart so he would not listen. Why? To boast and show yourself mighty & strong? To purposefully harm people and blame it on Pharoah’s ignorance & arrogance? If it would have been easy to let Pharoah release God’s people then why doesn’t He? Why does it mention at least twice that God hardened his heart so he would not listen? Read literally, this makes no sense and my brain refused to comprehend it. ”
This is something that I’ve been thinking about. I knew the answer, but I couldn’t remember where the scriptures were, and sometimes that doesn’t matter if the person doesn’t believe the whole Bible, and in my eagerness to respond, I only got half of the explanation out, the half that makes it seem like God is still a meanie. We recently got to this in Bible study, about the hardening of his heart and the plague, and I took a moment to find my Warren Wiersbe companion book to Exodus to confirm my rememberance and help me find scripture, and here I sit to type my full explanation/interpretation.
The first time God mentions Pharaoh, He does not mention being the cause of Pharaoh’s refusal: “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him (Ex. 3:19).” It seems that God was merely aware of what Pharaoh’s reaction would be (as He’s aware of everything else because, well, He’s God). So how do we get to chapter 4, verse 21:” The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go” ?
Isa. 55:10-11 says
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
God doesn’t speak to draw everyone, sometimes His word has the opposite effect (and intention). We’ve all (us “religious folks”) talked to people about God and they hear it and choose not to believe it, or they try to go to church and every sermon turns them off or they get mad with what the Bible says and don’t want to read it with you anymore; that’s okay. Sometimes, that’s the whole purpose. We have no idea why God has us sharing the Gospel with that purpose, and it really doesn’t matter. In Matthew 28:18-20, He gave us our instructions: And Jesus came and spake unt them saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. That is the extent of what we can do: teach, baptize those who respond to God’s word, and teach them how to walk in faith, run the Christian race, and gain the crown of glory. As Paul admonishes the people in Corinthians 3:7, some plant seeds, some water, but God gives the increase. The only thing that we do is share the Word. God, working through His word is the only one who knows what effect our sharing the gospel will have; all we know is that God’s will is being done, because his word is going to accomplish the purpose it was sent for.
So what does this have to do with Pharaoh and the hardening of his heart by God? Warren Wiersbe’s study of Exodus, Be Delivered, gives us a good definition of the hardening of the heart, and explains what is happening when a persons heart is hardened. Warren Wiersbe describes the hardening of the heart this way:
What does it mean to harden your heart? It means to see clear evidence of the hand of God at work and still refuse to accept His Word and submit to His will. It means to resist Him by showing ingratitude and disobedience and not having any fear of the Lord or of His judgments. Hardhearted peope say with Pharaoh, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” (5:2)
But the narrative also makes it clear that by sending these various judgments, God was hardening Pharaoh’s heart (4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8 17). Does this mean that God was unfair and that Pharaoh shouldn’t be held responsble for what he did? No, for the same sun that melts the ice also hardens the clay. It all depends on the nature of the material.
To the very very end of the contest (14:5ff), Pharaoh was a proud, unrepentant sinner who refused to hear God’s Word, do God’s will, or even keep his own promises to the Jewish people. The Lord gave him more than enough evidence to convince him that the gods of Egypt were false and the God of the Hebrews was the true and living God. Pharaoh sinned against a flood of light; and though God used him to accomplish His own purposes, Pharaoh made his own decisions and hardened his own heart against God. (Wiersbe, Be Delivered Pg. 31-32)
God couldn’t take the easy way out for the people of Israel’s sake, as well as ours:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Rom 15:4)
God was showing Israel, a nation that had been in bondage for over 400 years, who He was. They were slaves; Pharaoh was their master. They worshipped his gods and obeyed his commandments. God had to show them that He alone was their God, their savior, their master. Well, I shouldn’t say He had to show them, but he chose to reveal Himself to them in this way. Each plague that was brought down on Egypt was a direct statement against Egypts false gods: the Nile they worshipped and depended on turned to blood; the frog, a symbol of fertility (their goddes Heqet, the goddess fo fertility, childbirth, and resurrection, had the head of a frog), became a plague to them; their livestock were struck down. Every symbol of their power and prosperity, everything that they thought more important than the one true God, was shown to be of no use against His power. God is holy; he accepts nothing less. He alone is God; there can be nothing else put on the same level as Him by anyone. These are two truths that are still important for us to remember today.
Throughout the remaining books of history, as the Israelites finally make it into Canaan and eject its present inhabitants, who peoples are killed. They are told not to mix with these people and to kill them all. These people, we may think, did nothing to deserve this, but the Bible clearly states that this was a judgment on them. Some were the descendants of Cain, who knew God and was disobedient to Him and was separated from fellowship with Him because of it. These were not people who couldn’t have known God and were guiltless. They were also a danger to the Israelites complete devotion to the true and living God (as they did not always kill all the people, but mixed with them and worshipped their gods–after which God let them be taken captive again…and again).
I am a thinking Christian. The Bible teaches us by example, command, and inference. Sometimes we have to do what it says; sometimes we have to follow an example; and sometimes we have to think it through and connect the dots. I would encourage anyone trying to study the Bible to get good study aids to help them along, or join a Bible study in addition to your own study. Even then, some things only make sense with time and experience, and you only see some things when you are in a certain place in your life. But never stop studying and seeking God’s face, even for a moment.
2blu2btru
32B said:
Very good write-up! I am impressed & things do make sense now that other parts are explained & historical references are brought up about the Canaanites (not sure that is spelled right).
While reading this, I felt my defenses go up but I knew that’s exactly what I do often…I find an error when there might not be one or I refuse to listen (or read) and see the answer before me so I calmed myself down. Question: if God is all-knowing and He knows the sun does indeed melt ice as it hardens clay, then surely He knew which one represented Pharaoh?
I do think God’s heart must be trusted when we don’t understand His hand which is why I like playing Devil’s Advocate because there are too many who just don’t understand a loving God who kills to make a point however many dots are connected by several books & theologians & historical records. I do see your point but how would I explain that to someone who does not “feel” that is correct?
You mentioned that you are a thinking Christian. I enjoy facts. If my Bible must be read with a certain study bible that thoroughly breaks it down, plus I need to have a skilled theologian by my side as well as my pastor…..which one is truly knowledgeable & inspired by the Holy Spirit? There aren’t questions for you to answer E, just questions I have heard atheists (and ppl from other religions) mention. Valid points that I have no answer for but I guess that’s where the planting of seeds comes in at. I should probably just shut-up & play my role, huh?
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2blu2btru said:
Answer: Of course he knew how Pharaoh, a king who is treated, and think of himself, as a God, would respond to any insinuation that the Hebrews had another God, one more powerful than him and the gods of Egypt. This is how God hardened Pharaoh’s heart–by allowing His word to fall on infertile ground so only God’s mighty hand could free His people.
In Biblical times, the Bible was easier for them to understand pastoral examples (all those farmers) were easy to comprehend because they were farmers, they had sheep–they knew those feelings, what those images and illustrations meant. It is a bit harder for us, who work far from home with no connection to it, who view brother and sister relationships differently, which is why I recommend study helps, none in particular–I don’t follow this advice well myself. I like to take the Bible as the last authority, because people twist God’s word for their gain everyday (the Bible speaks of that too).
The Atheists I’ve met are usually people who have been exposed to God’s word and had an adverse reaction, like Pharaoh. Some know the words better than us Christians. People who have not taken a stance are easier to share faith with than someone who has made up their mind one way or another. I never think of anyone as out of reach, but I am more careful with skeptics and atheists, because God’s word can hurt their salvation as well as cause it. The word is sharper than any two edged sword, and I choose to wield it cautiously.
I’m not a debater; I’m a teacher (don’t want to be but always seem to be teaching, whether elementary, Sunday School, or otherwise), so how to “win” people is not something I’m good at. Leading people isn’t my long suit either. But I like sharing. Being an only child for eight years, I didn’t have much opportunity at home, so I make up for it now, I guess, LOL. Still, I don’t want to be a part of the reason anyone goes to Hell, God’s will or not, which is why I so seldom write faith/spiritual things.
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32B said:
I understand that last part completely! I like to debate because you get to hone in on the facts and tear down anything without legs…that’s just me. But I can’t “win” anyone so I have always sucked at evangelism. I think a sincere effort (sharing) is better than going out there with a purpose because some forget to approach people as people who have feelings & opinions and need to be listened to instead of lectured or rebuked.
Question #1: “…because God’s word can hurt their salvation as well as cause it” What do you mean?
Question #2: “I like to take the Bible as the last authority, because people twist God’s word for their gain everyday (the Bible speaks of that too)” Is the Bible not twisted by man anyways? It was put together & edited by man so how can it be “free” from twistation (made up word). The Bible mentions the writing of scripture being divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit….it does not mention the composition of those scriptures.
Last thing: I love the fact that you put a “Comment” section on the side of the main page.
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2blu2btru said:
A1: Folowing the theory that God’s word can draw one close or drive one away (harden his heart), depending on their receptiveness to it, I would rather wait until someone is ready to hear God’s word for their salvation and show them (my best estimation of) a good Christian example than to beat them over the head in Jesus name. I want to advance the cause of Christ, not be someone’s reason to call all “churchfolks” hypocrites or say we just want to convert them and don’t really care about their soul but numbers in the pews, blah blah. If I am not trying to live right before people, it doesn’t matter what I say anyway, but that’s my failing, not the failing of God’s word, and perhaps it was God’s will for that person to be pushed away, but I still don’t want to be the one issuing God’s words that pushes someone away from God (and closer to hell). It’s a personal dislike and not really a scriptural thing.
A2: I don’t believe the Bible is twisted by man. As it stated in Isa. 55:11 God’s word will accomplish what he sent it to do, and His will WILL be done. The Bible is the way God speaks to people now; He couldn’t allow it to be corrupted by man. The way that the first Christians and Acts checked the Apostles and what they were telling them was to “search the scriptures daily whether those things were so,” or the NIV version: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 The Scriptures are God-breathed, just as God breathed the breath of life into us. It’s the best we’ll ever have; it’s not changing either, no matter how much I or anyone else wants it to. Men change all the time, have ulterior motives for interpreting scripture incorrectly, so I keep that in mind when I use sources outside of the Bible. Commentary, and to a certain extent sermons, are opinions; so I follow the first church’s example and “search the scriptures to see if what [whoever] said was true.”
Last thing: Thank you! I’ve been meaning to add some more things to my blog forever but never really get around to it. And the comment section makes it so much easier to see new comments!
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