Pharaoh's Hard Heart

But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. [Exodus 7.3]

This really doesn't sound fair does it? What chance did Pharaoh have if God hardened his heart?

Well, I think we can all relax about this - it is not as bad as it sounds. I believe the more we become acquainted with God and everything He "deals with" being God, we can understand more clearly what went on here with Pharaoh.

First, we should consider this: this was not the beginning of Pharaoh's insolence toward God! Remember that when Moses first came to Pharaoh (before the time of the verse above) we see Pharaoh's response:

After this presentation to Israel’s leaders, Moses and Aaron went and spoke to Pharaoh. They told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go so they may hold a festival in my honor in the wilderness.” “Is that so?” retorted Pharaoh. “And who is the LORD? Why should I listen to him and let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.” [Exodus 5.1-2]

So, Pharaoh's heart was already on record as being "hard" toward God. And, it was not because God went out and randomly chose someone to destroy by making him think differently! 

Consider this: The one sure way to reveal pride in a person is to simply tell them what to do. It would appear on the outside that the instance of being told what to do made the person proud and resistant, but that is not the case at all. Telling the person what to do only revealed what was already there inside that person's heart. 

So, I could say, "Watch this, I will make that person's heart hard!" The person may appear normal enough until I say to them, "Do what I say!" But did I harden that person's heart? Not so much. The pride was already there on the inside - I just brought it out.

Why would I go to all the trouble to try to explain this? Because the majority of the Bible makes God out to be a loving God, Who loves the WORLD and wishes for salvation for ALL. To say then that God 'hardens' a person's heart is not consistent with what the whole of the Bible teaches about God. And, for the record, just because God is indeed "sovereign" does not change His character! Why would we ever believe such a thing against our God Who Is Love?

I am quite satisfied in my understanding of this.  As a matter of fact, it encourages my faith in God for Who He Is! 

If you think about it, God revealed Pharaoh's heart on more than one occasion with the multiple plagues/miracles... Why? Well, in consistency with God's character of love and mercy, God gave Pharaoh many chances to repent... Thinking further, Israel would have escaped Egypt either way (as God promised). Now that is the work of a Sovereign God indeed!!

Father, I confess You have 'hardened my heart' on many occasions. Your commands have revealed my pride and arrogance on far too many occasions. For that, I repent. I know my heart is desperately wicked and I cannot know it - so I repent.