Hardening Hearts

In reading the account of the plagues brought on Pharoah, we read that he hardened his heart but in Exodus 9:12, we read, "But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said to Moses."  This statement has caused some to question God's judgment against Pharaoh: "One of you will say to me: 'Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?'" (Rom 9:19).

The apostle Paul did not give a defense for God's action, he simply said, "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' ” (v. 20).  Paul asserted God's sovereignty in what he does.  However, we also know that God is just.  So, would a just God make someone do wrong and then punish him for it?

I believe He could if that were His choice but I don't believe he does or did in Pharaoh's case.  I don't believe God took away his freedom of choice at all as evidenced by the 10 separate opportunities to obey.  I believe that God hardened Pharaoh's heart by simply making the demand, "Let my people go!"  By setting a positive command before him, God set in motion Pharaoh's negative response.

People are tempted to touch a bench with a sign reading "Don't touch, wet paint!"  We are tempted to step over a line drawn in the sand.  Just tell someone that they must or must not do something and watch the reaction.  Being told what we must or must not do often motivates us to do just the opposite.  In that sense our hearts have been hardened by the one making the demand.

However, God who created us has the sovereign right to make demands.  He is just in making them and just in judging us when we bow up against His will or harden our hearts.  God has no need to defend himself, but we have a need to understand God's justice and his sovereign will over our lives.  Jus' Say'n.