Who hardened Pharaoh's heart?

For the first few plagues, the verses say "Pharaoh's heart remained hard", or "Pharaoh hardened his heart". Later on it says "God hardened Pharaoh's heart". Perhaps initially Pharaoh was free to choose either way (though, of course, God knew in advance that he would reject Him), but then later on God "gave him over" to his hardened heart - in other words "God hardened Pharaoh's heart".

Perhaps it is only after Pharaoh had hardened his own heart that "[God] appointed [Pharaoh] for the very purpose of displaying [God's] power in [Pharaoh] and to spread [God's] fame throughout the earth." Perhaps God was "very patient with [Pharaoh, one] on whom his anger falls" and "[though Pharaoh] knew God, [Pharaoh] wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. ... As a result, [Pharaoh's mind] became dark and confused."

But, on the other hand, perhaps "Pharaoh's heart remained hard" from being initially hardened beforehand. Perhaps the patience Romans 9 mentions is for the majority of people - those who have not been appointed for displaying God's wrath & power in this life - but not for the likes of Pharaoh.

While God is the same yesterday, today and forever, there is nothing to stop Him singling a man out for a particular purpose - whether it be a purpose of blessing or wrath. There indeed was a lot at stake at this point in history - God was making His name known to the Israelites. He had to show them His power and love for them in order to prepare them to receive His Son later on. He is referred to many times as "God, who rescued you out of Egypt". This was a defining moment in Israel's relationship with God. So who are we to say God would be wrong to single out Pharaoh as pre-ordained for destruction for this great purpose? "Well then, you might say, 'Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?' No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, 'Why have you made me like this?' When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?"

But, then again, it may be the first option - maybe Pharaoh did have a choice. I'm sure there are many strong human arguments either way on the topic, but the only way we can ever know is by listening to the Spirit. And then if it is the latter, we will hear it in the context of God's love for us, knowing Him to be good, not fearing that He might suddenly make us an object of wrath. For if He has already accepted us He will not go back on His promises of blessing us.

Glory be to God, who is good beyond our understanding, yet who blesses us by imparting knowledge & wisdom if we seek Him.

Created over 1 year ago