Hard

 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.

Exodus 8:19 ESV

https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.8.19.ESV


The Egyptian magicians were able to replicate some of Moses' plagues from God, by their dark arts. But they couldn't produce gnats like God could to plague the rebellious land of Egypt. Even they were forced to admit to their boss that this plague was the finger of God Himself. They weren't referring to any of their false, demonic gods, but the God of the Hebrew slaves.


Pharoah's heart however was hardened. Sometimes he is referred to as hardening his own heart. Here it is implied that God Himself hardened Pharoah's heart. So which is it? Not either/or but both/and. God is sovereign even over those who reject Him.


Pharoah would be condemned by the Lord for his hard heart. But God in His sovereignty allowed Pharoah's heart to be hardened. We are responsible for our own sins, but God isn't impotent in the face of them. Instead, He will call us to account, in His good time.


Moses couldn't say that God hadn't warned him that Pharoah would be so stubborn. God had already told Moses as much. Even if God wants us to do something for Him, He doesn't necessarily make it easy for us. There is however an inevitability that He will achieve His purposes for our lives.


'Yahweh, please help us to work with You, not against You. We know that however we respond to You, You will assuredly work Your purposes out, in Jesus' name, amen'

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