The Hardening The Hardening Of Of

Pharaoh’s HeartPharaoh’s HeartExodus 4:21-23Exodus 4:21-23

Exodus 3:19-20, “And I know that the Exodus 3:19-20, “And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will put forth my hand, and smite Egypt with put forth my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that midst thereof: and after that he will let he will let you goyou go.”.”

Exodus 6:1, “And Jehovah said unto Exodus 6:1, “And Jehovah said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for by a strong hand to Pharaoh: for by a strong hand shall he shall he let them golet them go, and by a strong hand , and by a strong hand shall shall he drive them out of his landhe drive them out of his land.”.”

It was through a series of plagues It was through a series of plagues that God chose to harden Pharaoh’s that God chose to harden Pharaoh’s stubborn heart.stubborn heart.(Exodus 7:3, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; (Exodus 7:3, 14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7; 9:34-35)9:7; 9:34-35)

Plagues Upon EgyptPlagues Upon Egypt

Water changed to blood (Exodus 7:14-25)Water changed to blood (Exodus 7:14-25) Frogs. (Exodus 8:1-15)Frogs. (Exodus 8:1-15) Lice. (Exodus 8:16-19)Lice. (Exodus 8:16-19) Swarms of flies. (Exodus 8:20-32) Land Swarms of flies. (Exodus 8:20-32) Land

of Goshen not affected. (Exodus 8:22-23)of Goshen not affected. (Exodus 8:22-23) Livestock diseased. (Exodus 9:1-7) Livestock diseased. (Exodus 9:1-7)

Herds of the Israelites were not affected. Herds of the Israelites were not affected. (Exodus 9:4)(Exodus 9:4)

Boils. (Exodus 9:8-12)Boils. (Exodus 9:8-12)

Plagues Upon EgyptPlagues Upon Egypt

Hail. (Exodus 9:13-35)Hail. (Exodus 9:13-35) Locust. (Exodus 10:1-20)Locust. (Exodus 10:1-20) Darkness. (Exodus 10:21-29)Darkness. (Exodus 10:21-29) The Death of the firstborn. (Exodus 11:1-The Death of the firstborn. (Exodus 11:1-

12:30)12:30)

The story of the plagues is summarized in The story of the plagues is summarized in Psalms 78:44-51 and again in Psalms 105:28-Psalms 78:44-51 and again in Psalms 105:28-36.36.

In Psalms 135:8 and 136:10 the death of the In Psalms 135:8 and 136:10 the death of the firstborn is the only plague mentioned at all.firstborn is the only plague mentioned at all.

A Night To Be Much Observed A Night To Be Much Observed (Exodus 12:42)(Exodus 12:42)

““It is a night to be much observed It is a night to be much observed unto Jehovah for bringing them out unto Jehovah for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that from the land of Egypt: this is that night of Jehovah, to be much night of Jehovah, to be much observed of all the children of Israel observed of all the children of Israel throughout their generations.”throughout their generations.”

In the future observances of the Passover, In the future observances of the Passover, when the children would ask, “What mean when the children would ask, “What mean ye by this service?”, they were to be ye by this service?”, they were to be taught its significance fully and clearly (cf. taught its significance fully and clearly (cf. Exodus 12:26-27; 13:8, 14).Exodus 12:26-27; 13:8, 14).

After the plagues, Pharaoh released the After the plagues, Pharaoh released the children of Israel. (Exodus 12:31-37)children of Israel. (Exodus 12:31-37) Note: Genesis 15:12-14 “They shall come out Note: Genesis 15:12-14 “They shall come out

with great substance.”with great substance.”

When God sent Moses to free the When God sent Moses to free the Israelites from Egyptian bondage … Israelites from Egyptian bondage … (Exodus 3-4)(Exodus 3-4)

a. He said that He would harden the a. He said that He would harden the heart of Pharaoh.heart of Pharaoh.

b. Even though it would result in the b. Even though it would result in the death of Pharaoh’s son - Exodus death of Pharaoh’s son - Exodus 4:22-234:22-23

The Hardening Of PharaohThe Hardening Of PharaohDefinitions:Definitions:

““Chazaq” - Chazaq” - Exodus 4:21; 7:13,22; 8:19; 9:12,35; 10:20,27; 11:10; 14:4,8,17

““literally signifies to strengthen, confirm, literally signifies to strengthen, confirm, make bold or courageous” – (make bold or courageous” – (Clarke)Clarke)

““Qashah” - Exodus 7:3Qashah” - Exodus 7:3 “harden, stiffen” “harden, stiffen” – (– (Strong) Strong)

““Kabed” - Exodus 7:14; 8:15; 8:32; Kabed” - Exodus 7:14; 8:15; 8:32; 9:7,34; 10:19:7,34; 10:1

““heavy; figuratively … in a bad sense, heavy; figuratively … in a bad sense, severe, difficult … grievous, hardened” – severe, difficult … grievous, hardened” – ((Strong)Strong)

Pharaoh Hardened His Pharaoh Hardened His Own HeartOwn Heart

Exodus 7:13-14 Pharaoh’s heart was Exodus 7:13-14 Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, stubborn.hardened, stubborn.

7:22; 8:15; 8:19; 8:32; 9:7; 9:34-357:22; 8:15; 8:19; 8:32; 9:7; 9:34-35

In the first five plagues, and in the In the first five plagues, and in the seventh, Pharaoh hardened his own seventh, Pharaoh hardened his own heart.heart.

God Hardened Pharaoh’s God Hardened Pharaoh’s HeartHeart

Exodus 7:3 “I will harden Pharaoh’s Exodus 7:3 “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.”heart.”

Exodus 9:12; Exodus 10:1; Exodus Exodus 9:12; Exodus 10:1; Exodus 10:20; Exodus 10:27; Exodus 11:10; 10:20; Exodus 10:27; Exodus 11:10; Exodus 14:4; Exodus 14:8; Exodus 14:17Exodus 14:4; Exodus 14:8; Exodus 14:17

Not until the sixth plague (boils) did God Not until the sixth plague (boils) did God begin to harden Pharaoh’s heart.begin to harden Pharaoh’s heart.

Purpose Of Hardening Purpose Of Hardening Pharaoh’s HeartPharaoh’s Heart

To convince the To convince the EgyptiansEgyptians that the LORD is that the LORD is truly God. Exodus 7:3-5; 14:4truly God. Exodus 7:3-5; 14:4

To convince the To convince the IsraelitesIsraelites that the LORD is that the LORD is truly God. Exodus 10:1-2truly God. Exodus 10:1-2

To convince the To convince the worldworld that the LORD is truly that the LORD is truly God.God.Exodus 9:13-17Exodus 9:13-17

Thus God hardened, or strengthened, one who Thus God hardened, or strengthened, one who was determined to resist that God might was determined to resist that God might show His power and proclaim His name in show His power and proclaim His name in all the earth!all the earth!

The Hardening Of People The Hardening Of People In New Testament TimesIn New Testament Times

Such “hardening” was not unique to Such “hardening” was not unique to Pharaoh.Pharaoh. It happened in Jesus’ day (Mark 3:5; It happened in Jesus’ day (Mark 3:5;

John 12:37-41) and it is not limited to John 12:37-41) and it is not limited to the past!the past!

The Ephesians. (Acts 19:8-10; The Ephesians. (Acts 19:8-10; Ephesians 4:18)Ephesians 4:18)

The Jews. (2 Corinthians 3:14)The Jews. (2 Corinthians 3:14) The Hebrews. (Hebrews 3:12-14)The Hebrews. (Hebrews 3:12-14)

The Hardening Of People The Hardening Of People TodayToday

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 “and with all 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 “and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God sendeth saved. And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

The Hardening Of People The Hardening Of People TodayToday

God sends a strong delusion … allows them God sends a strong delusion … allows them to believe a lie. (Note: Man’s free will!)to believe a lie. (Note: Man’s free will!) Involves people who did not receive the love of Involves people who did not receive the love of

the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:10)the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:10) Involves people who did not believe the truth, Involves people who did not believe the truth,

but took pleasure in sin. (2 Thessalonians 2:12)but took pleasure in sin. (2 Thessalonians 2:12) Why?Why?

That they might be judged. (2 Thessalonians That they might be judged. (2 Thessalonians 2:12)2:12)

Conclusion:Conclusion:

We have seen that God hardened the We have seen that God hardened the hearts of the wicked, and is willing hearts of the wicked, and is willing to send a strong delusion for them to to send a strong delusion for them to believe a lie …believe a lie …

How much better for us to have God How much better for us to have God strengthen our hearts in doing good, strengthen our hearts in doing good, not evil …not evil …

Conclusion:Conclusion:

God will strengthen our hearts …God will strengthen our hearts … If we love the truth.If we love the truth. If we believe the truth.If we believe the truth. If we receive the truth.If we receive the truth. If we remain firm in holding to the If we remain firm in holding to the

truth.truth.