Discover the importance of understanding idioms that help you understand the Bible is saying. With that insight you will catch a glimpse of what is really happening with Pharaoh's heart.
SHOW NOTES
Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart
Pharaoh 9 times Exodus 7:13, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34, 35
LORD 9 times
Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10;14:4, 8 Exodus 4:21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Pharaoh 9 times
Exodus 7:13,14,22; 8:15,19,32; 9:7,34,35 Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said. By the sixth plague it was clear the plagues were supernatural: Exodus 9:11 The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils that were on them and on all the Egyptians.
Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart
Sunshine hardens clay and melts butter God’s love hardens some hearts and melts other hearts John loved more and Judas coveted more Does God do this? Do you harden people’s hearts?
Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart All supernatural events are attributed to God in OT After the sixth plague it is only the LORD hardening Pharaoh’s heart (chp. ten onwards) The Pharaoh is supernaturally stupid to carry on destroying Egypt.
We are warned not to harden our hearts: Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Psalm 95:8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. We harden our hearts by refusing to follow the leading of the Spirit We harden each other’s hearts by unkindness and unfairness
God is Saving Sinners
Hosea 11 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. 5 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man— the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. 12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.
God Wants to Save All 1 Timothy 2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Including Moses’ Pharaoh 1 Timothy 4:10 . . . we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Idioms and metaphors are not literally true:
The sun comes up!
Hungry enough to eat a horse!
I love you so much I could eat you up!
The bus left me! The computer did it!
I have told you a thousand times!
Red blackberries mean they are green.
Acts of God
Idioms and metaphors are not literally true:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? (Matt. 5:13) "...it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Matt. 19:24 (Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25): If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26) If your right eyes causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Matt. 5:29) Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever . . .
The Bible writers often blame God for the evil we do.
1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Supernaturally evil. Out of control. The Bible writers often blame God for the evil we do. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.
Supernatural delusion. Not logical to believe a lie.
What Shall We Conclude?
The Bible clearly says: God hardened Pharaoh’s heart.
BUT
God wants to save all people including this Pharaoh as much as Joseph’s Pharaoh * Pharaoh defied God * We are warned against hardening our hearts * God is saving all * We blame God for our hardness * Idioms are not literal * God works for a new heart for you and me!
God Works to Save All
Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” This is God’s desire for all people, in all places and at all times. (finis)
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