The Problem With Pharoah

The Problem With Pharaoh

Exodus 14:4 “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.”

Exodus 14:8 “And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.”

Exodus 8:17 “And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.”

     Man, with all the hardenings, it seemed like Pharaoh and his people were just puppets in the hand of God.  Like God pushed Pharoh’s button, “I hate you.  I hate you.”  Yet a voodoo doll on the shelf of history he was not.

     God is ultimately responsible for hardening a man’s heart.  That is His job.  Without God, we could never turn from God.  It is only Him who does this work in us.  So why are we to blame if we sin against Him?  Well, to get from point A to point C, we need to help.

     Pharoah's malicious meditation so bombarded his heart.  It drove out what logical counsel was there.  God, knowing his conclusion, granted him an exit from sanity.  Pharoah did not consider the outcome.  That contrived irrational thought.  We all know the story.  Pharoah and his cohorts could not swim that well.

     We need to work with God to get the desired outcome.  In Pharaoh’s case, rage welled up behind the dam and so pressured its footings.  Growing cracks about the base did not warn him.  Finally, God granted him his wish.  Pharoah’s will burst forth and commanded his course of action.

     Don’t blame God.  We determine our wills.  He works to harden or soften.  As Creator, He abides by His own laws respecting our autonomy and dignity. 

     The heresy of Puppet master is called out today.  God did not predetermine Pharaoh as in he had no choice.  Furthermore, a misunderstanding of predestination of one to Heaven or Hell can grow cancerous inflicting blindness. God truly intervenes in the affairs of men, but He does not cosmically control them.

     God said He raised Pharaoh up for that purpose to show His glory in him.  God did pave the way for him to rise to power and execute control over his subjects.  Joseph made sure of that saving Egypt and transferring power to the king.  God brought Pharaoh to that decision.  Yes, He knew his choices, yet He provided Pharoah his will.  All had to be played out.

     Could God have worked it differently?  Yes.  Still in His foreknowledge, He knew, given the circumstances what Pharoah would choose.  And Pharoah chose death.

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