4th February Exodus 10 Is Your Heart Hardened?
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials. What a shocking start to the chapter. Why would God say? “Let My people go, so that they may worship me” and then harden Pharaoh’s heart?
Going back to the original Hebrew the word hardened “chazaq” means to fasten upon, be strong (cure, repair, fortify) to bind and to conquer. God was after Pharaoh’s heart, but Pharaoh completely missed it! In Exodus 10:10 Pharaoh’s heart seems to soften, however, he cancels this out by laying down more conditions. Pharaoh was too wrapped up in his self-importance to allow them to worship God in complete freedom and finally “...the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he was not willing to let them go” Ex 10:27.
Proverbs 21:1 (Amp) and Ezekiel 36:26 – Show us that the Lord is in the business of changing hearts. God was aiming for Pharaoh’s heart, and he continues to aim for our hearts to be changed towards Him. Have we like Pharaoh missed GOD’s goodness and gone our way? You may see a harsh God hardening Pharaoh’s heart and sending the ten plagues upon the Egyptians, but I see a kind and loving God trying hard to get his attention. I see a God who gave Pharaoh and the Egyptians 10 chances to repent and turn to him, but they didn’t. ….” do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realising that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Rom 2:4.
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Question:
When we find ourselves in difficult situations do we rant against God or do we pause and listen to what he may be doing in our hearts/lives?
Action:
The LORD holds our hearts in his hands. Pray that He changes our hearts. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom 12:2.