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NASB | Exodus 4:21 ¶ The LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Exodus 4:21 ¶ The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders (miracles) which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart and make him stubborn so that he will not let the people go. |
Subject: Why was his heart hardened? |
Bible Note: Greetings Mark! One of the difficulties with taking dogmatic positions on the issue of hardening is that Scripture explicitly states both that God hardened Pharoah's heart and that Pharoah hardened his own heart. It also simply records that Pharoah's heart became hard with reference to how. Here are examples of all three: 1) God hardened: Ex. 9:12, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10, and Ex. 14:8. 2) Pharoah hardened: Ex. 8:15, 8:32, and 9:34. 3) Simply states that his heart was hardened: Ex. 7:13, 7:22, 8:19, and 9:35. If would be leary of any position that destorys either truth, since Scripture clearly states that God hardened his heart and that Pharoah hardened his heart. The one thing that I can say with certainty is that even when God hardens there is a redemptive purpose. Consider Rom. 11:7 - "What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened," Yet, v. 11 makes it clear that this hardening was not permenant. V. 25 explains that the hardening of Israel was so that the Gentiles might be saved. And, of course, v. 32 demonstrates God ultimate purpose in hardening. I hope this adds to the dicussion my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |