Romans 9:14-21, Thoughts from Exodus (Hardening Pharaoh's Heart) (5)

What did God do to harden Pharaoh’s heart? 

·       3:19: I am sure.  God knew Pharaoh and how to “direct” him.

·       What was Pharaoh like?  In other words, what did God know about him? 

o   5:2: He was a religious man, steeped in the religion of Egypt.  Everything revolved around the gods.  Thus he rejected the God of the people who served him as slaves.  Why would he do homage to a God who let his people be in bondage?

o   5:4ff: He was a dictator.  He stood against Israel and increased their burden.  God knew Pharaoh would be stubborn.

·       7:10-13: In this passage Pharaoh’s own magi matched the “signs” of Moses and Aaron.  Again, they did this in 7:22 and 8:7.  These events would embolden Pharaoh.  It isn’t until the third plague that it is clear that this is Pharaoh vs. YAHWEH (8:18-19).

·       8:23: It wasn’t until the plague of the flies that the Israelites did not suffer along with the Egyptians.  This would have encouraged Pharaoh.

·       8:28: Pharaoh agrees to let the people of Israel go into the wilderness.  But the flies are removed before they leave (v31-32), taking away his motivation to let them go.  So he changes his mind.

·       Furthermore, with each successive plague the likelihood that Pharaoh will let them go diminishes.  On the one hand, you might think he gets tired of the pain and lets them go.  But on the other hand, a proud man, who is now experienced at saying “no,” will get over the pain once it stops and will say “no” again.  Furthermore, if he lets them go now, it begs the question as to why he wasn’t wise enough to let them go earlier.

·       9:7: This was a “one-and-done” plague.  Cows died and then it was over.

·       9:8-12: Pharaoh won’t cave here.  It’s just physical pain; the boils will go away.

·       9:13-35 (hail): Here the hardening intensifies.

o   v14: This will now go to the heart.

o   v16: The true nature of the contest is clarified when Moses challenges Pharaoh.

o   v15-16: Perhaps Pharaoh had said, “at least my people (a king’s glory is his people) have not died.” 

o   v19: An escape or moderation of the affliction was offered.

o   v32: In addition, the wheat and spelt were still usable.

o   v34: Suddenly, it was not so bad.  Amazingly, he had survived the first attack on his heart.

·       9:27; 10:16-17: Pharaoh knew how to say “I have sinned” and to ask for forgiveness, but without repentance (you see this in 9:27: my people and I are wicked; it’s not just Pharaoh who is the sinner but his people, who actually had nothing to do with what was happening).  This is not uncommon.  Lots of people “apologize” just to get rid of the consequences.

·       10:24: Pharaoh had his eye on the economy, the value of Israel and their possessions.

·       14:3: The route God led Israel to take gave Pharaoh hope.  “They are confused” he thought.  It was “natural.” 

·       14:5: Having the Israelite slaves was good for business in Egypt.  This thought emboldened Pharaoh.

My thought in all of this is that God knew Pharaoh.  Pharaoh had a choice all the way through!  God knew the choices Pharaoh would make.  I believe, by the way, that Pharaoh is not unique.  He is typical of all fallen and proud descendants of Adam.