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NASB | Exodus 7:3 "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Exodus 7:3 "And I will make Pharaoh's heart hard, and multiply My signs and My wonders (miracles) in the land of Egypt. |
Bible Question: Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart? It seems out of character for God to cause a behavior and then punish it. If Pharaoh was going to repeat his past behavior the hardening was not necessary, if he was really going to free the Israelites this action on God’s part kept them in captivity longer. Please don’t think I’m accusing God of meanness, I just can’t understand the motivation. |
Bible Answer: Dear Hiram, Scripture has many references to times when God sets aside man's freewill for His greater purpose in human history. You are correct that God does not cause a behavior and then punish (for what is caused is not blame worthy), but God had plans of bringing judgment on all the gods of Egypt so that Israel would see that He is God of all that is, not just a god. The reason this was necessary was Israel was living under Pagan domination for so long, they would have likely believed in the gods of Egypt. On the subject of hardening of the heart, it is safe to think of that term as strengthening--artificial courage to withstand the natural fear which would cause Pharaoh to waver; for we know when the influence was lifted Pharaoh really did waver. A very good book on this topic is "God's Strategy in Human History" by Roger T. Forster. I checked to see if it is still in print on Amazon.com and they gave a place in London England where you can buy it directly from Ichthus Christian Fellowship. media@ichthus.org I read the book when I was in Bible school (nearly a lifetime ago) and it led to wonderful and civil discussions among those of us inclined to the study of systematic theology. I've never read a better book for a general introduction of classical controversies of European Christianity, and it treats the subject of Pharaoh in some detail. mrk |