Mensa Otabil - A Hardened Heart
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So we’re looking at the story of Moses. We’re examining how he responds to the call; he has accepted responsibility and received permission. Now he goes in the power of the Lord, and God speaks to him further.
In Exodus chapter 4, verse 21, the Lord said to Moses, «When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.» The Lord gave Moses specific tasks; he instructed him to perform miracles. He was supposed to turn his rod into a snake, and the second sign was that his hand would become leprous. Then God gave him a third sign, saying the rivers of Egypt would be turned into blood. These are three things God told him to do; the first two would be done, and the third would bring a new series of signs that God would work in Egypt.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses about what He would do if Pharaoh did not yield to the first two signs. He said, «I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.» This part of verse 21 has been a source of controversy for many because it seems as if God set up Pharaoh and punished him. He said He would harden Pharaoh’s heart, then punished him for a hardened heart. Is that what is happening here? The question arises: if God was the one hardening Pharaoh’s heart, why is Pharaoh blamed?
To answer that, you need to read the entirety of Exodus, but I will take you back to chapter 3, verse 19, where God said to Moses, «But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even by a mighty hand.» Earlier, God told Moses that despite all the signs performed-when Pharaoh sees the rod become a snake and the hand become leprous-he still would not let them go. God is using foreknowledge; He is not saying that He had hardened Pharaoh’s heart at that time, but He knows how Pharaoh will behave. Then He speaks in chapter 4, saying that when Moses does these signs, Pharaoh will not believe, and if he does not believe, then God will further harden his heart.
God hardened Pharaoh’s heart because Pharaoh had chosen to harden his heart first. Now, why would God do that? If the man has chosen to harden his heart, why doesn’t God soften it? There is a nature of God that you need to understand. When you read the Psalms, you’ll find in Psalm 18, verses 25 to 26, the psalmist says, «To the merciful, you will show yourself merciful; with a blameless man, you will show yourself blameless; with the pure, you show yourself pure; with the devious, you show yourself shrewd.»
Our response to God colors His response to us. If you are hardened, He will harden your heart, but if you have a humble heart, then He receives you. So Pharaoh’s attitude prompts God’s response, and that’s an essential lesson for us. There are times when God gives up on people; He gives up on us because we have chosen a foolish way-a wrong way-and He leaves us to our devices, resulting in severe judgment. This is precisely what He tells Pharaoh. May the Lord have mercy on us and keep us from hardening our hearts to the extent that God says, «Please yourself.» That should not be our story.
Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, help me not to harden my heart against Your will. Give me a humble and teachable spirit. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. Don’t be stubborn, don’t harden your heart, and don’t allow yourself to reach that extent. I will catch you again tomorrow; I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.