02/13/2019

Romans 9:17

¹⁷ For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

The repeated statements in Exodus and this one in Romans has caused continued discussions through the centuries about what does it mean for God to harden the heart of a person.

A review of Pharaoh's experiences well help us. Moses met with him and Moses's staff became a serpent but Pharaoh ignored it. Then the plagues began. Pharaoh ignored them. At one point the plagues were so dreadful Pharaoh’s counselors begged him to let the Hebrews go. But in his stubbornness he wanted to negotiate. There is a powerful certainly with God. He does not negotiate with rebels.

After Pharaoh’s experiences with the ten plagues he apparently admits defeat and drives the Hebrews from Egypt and concedes to Moses's demands. But that is an outward concession. Pharaoh's heart has not changed. He has one last attempt to have his way with them. He pursues them with an army to destroy them. He and his army are drowned in the Red Sea.

What sane person would not agree that Pharaoh was one hard-headed dude.­­  Even to the point of his destruction.  That stubbornness in the face of so much evidence is his hardening.

Illustration:  “Don’t blame the wreck on the train.”