“Harden Not Your Hearts” Exodus 4:21-23

Hardening & Softening Some folks believe that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh directly by violating Pharaoh’s free will. What would that say about how God works today? Could God take away our free will? He could… But what does the Bible say about that?

The Word “Harden” chazaq (Heb.) Exodus 4:21; 7:13,22; 8:19; 9:12,35; 10:20,27; 11:10; 14:4,8,17 A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence to seize, be strong (figuratively courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. –Strong’s

The Word “Harden” qashah (Heb.) Exodus 7:3 A primitive root; properly to be dense, that is, tough or severe (in various applications): - be cruel, be fiercer, make grievous, be ([ask a], be in, have, seem, would) hard (-en, [labour], -ly, thing), be sore, (be, make) stiff (-en, [-necked]). – Strong’s

The Word “Harden” kabed (Heb.) Exodus 7:14; 8:15; 8:32; 9:7,34; 10:1 From H3513; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid) : - (so) great, grievous, hard (-ened), (too) heavy (-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick. - Strong’s

Pharaoh’s heart was “hardened” Pharaoh's heart was made strong, stiff, and stubborn. He had a stubborn heart! Whose fault was that? Did Pharaoh harden his own heart to go against God’s command? Or was it God’s fault that Pharaoh was made to be stubborn?

Pharaoh hardened his own heart… Exodus 7:13, 7:14, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7, 9:34, 9:35 The different Hebrew words are used interchangeably throughout these various texts. In six out of the first seven plagues, we read plainly in our English versions of the Bible, that Pharaoh hardened his own heart.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart… Exodus 7:3, 9:12, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10, 14:4, 14:8, 14:17

Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn! Exodus 9:33-35 James 1:13-14 Look to Exodus 3:19 God hardened Pharaoh’s heart by putting forth His demand, knowing that Pharaoh was going to refuse.

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” Exodus 7:3-5 “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them” (Ex 7:3-5 KJV)

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (Ex 7:3-5 ASV)

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” Ex 7:3-5 (ESV)

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD” The main thought within the verse does not point to the purpose for Pharaoh’s heart being hardened. But rather… God’s response and the outcome of His mighty works! “But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4 Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5 The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” Ex 7:3-5 (ESV)

Other relevant passages… Deuteronomy 7:8,18 – The result of God’s mighty power displayed in Egypt 1 Samuel 6:6 Nehemiah 9:9-10

Other relevant passages… Romans 9:17,18 – Just reading these two verses out of their context can cause confusion… But Romans 9 is not about personal salvation! It is about Israel’s rejection and the mercy that had been shown to the Gentiles. Verses 20-22 To understand this, we need to go back to the original context – Jeremiah 18:1, 18:8, 18:10 Another good example to help us understand this is found in Isaiah 10:5-7 Assyria was God’s instrument of wrath upon rebellious Israel Assyria made war for their own benefit, not God’s

Did God violate anyone’s free will? Some think that God violated Judas’ freewill, but consider… John 17:12 – Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, “That the scripture might be fulfilled”. John 6:64,70 – Jesus chose Judas knowing what he would do John 12:6 – Judas was a covetous person John 13:2,27 – Who moved Judas to sin?

Did God violate anyone’s free will? John 12:39-40 –Again, it’s clear that the nation of Israel is under consideration, not an individual (see Isaiah 6:9-10) Isaiah 1:1-20 clearly explains God’s intended purpose in sending Isaiah. John 12:42 – In spite of the general condition of Israel some would believe

Does God violate anyone’s free will? Romans 2:11 – God shows no partiality. (Deut 10:17; Acts 10:34; Gal 2:6) 1 Tim 2:4 – God desires all men to be saved (Ezek 18:23; Mk 16:15; 2 Pet 3) Acts 6:14 – Lydia’s heart was opened to heed the word. John 6:44 – No one can come unless the Father draws him John 6:45 – Everyone who has heard and learned comes to Christ (Jer 31:31) Hearts are opened when they recognize the goodness and love of God

In Conclusion… God shows no partiality, He loves all and desires that all be saved He has wrought signs and wonders; He has shown His love; He has given us His word Having the foreknowledge of how Pharaoh, Assyria, and Judas would respond allowed God to use them in His plan to redeem those who would obey His word.

In Conclusion… There is a real danger of our hearts being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13) Let God soften your heart instead Ezekiel 36:25-28