Rev. Don Campbell

Exodus 7-9

THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2019: PHARAOH’S HARD HEART [Ex 7-9]

No less than ten times in today’s reading the record either says that Pharaoh hardened his heart or God hardened his heart. Some have accused God of unfairness toward Pharaoh. Part of the problem is bad theology (predestination) and part of it is careless reading.

To get the intended message we begin in Ex 5:1-2: “Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.” But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.’” Clearly, Pharaoh’s heart was not receptive to God. God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart against repentance but against expediency. If he would not repent, God would not allow him to relent, but would stiffen (harden) his resolve: “I will not let Israel go.”

Proof that God did not rob Pharaoh of any inclination toward moral goodness, but only stiffened his resolve to carry out the true machinations of his perverted heart is seen in the fact that later when he thought he had the unarmed and untrained Israelites cornered, he pursued them with his army either to kill them or enslave them again (Ex 14:5-9).

CONNECTIONS
1. There is an axiom that says, “The same sun that melts wax will harden clay.” Does this help us understand 2 Corinthians 3:12-16?

2. Paul says that the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience are designed to lead all to repentance. What does he say prevents it from doing so? (Rom 2:5).