Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments(Ex. 7:2-4).
These verses, when read alone and taken entirely out of context, have caused quite a bit of debate over the years. Nonbelievers love to toss them around, citing them as proof that the God of the Old Testament was egotistical and cruel. They use it in their campaign to prove that a loving God does not exist. They posit questions such as: Why would God choose to harden (make stubborn) Pharaoh's heart? Didn't that take away Pharaoh's free will? Did He do it just so He could inflict more punishment on the Egyptians, and if that was the reason, wasn't that cruel? Wouldn't it have been better for the Israelites to get out of Egypt sooner rather than later? Many of these questions hit their mark, bringing about confusion and misunderstanding in the new or struggling believer.
The first thing we must remember when dealing with passages we don’t understand is that they don’t exist in a vacuum. As we read the Scripture surrounding them, we are often able to more easily visualize the message that God intends for us. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord (Is. 55:8). As human beings, we are incapable of fully understanding the ways of God, but that does not mean He never reveals any of His motives to us. As the story of the Exodus unfolds, God clearly shows the reasons behind His actions.
The Israelites had lived in the land of Egypt for a very long time, and their relationship with God was tenuous and new. They were not yet strong enough in their faith to confidently follow Him. They needed proof of His power and existence, and God provided this proof to them in the form of the plagues. The Egyptians also needed to see and feel the full power of God. When God hardened Pharaoh's heart, He did not take a loving, gentle man and turn him into a tyrant. He simply allowed the tyrant's true nature to show through. The Egyptians needed to see that their troubles did not come from an unfair God; rather, they resulted from their own actions and the actions of their leader.
It is only natural to want our troubles to be over quickly. When we are stuck in an unpleasant situation and pray for a way out, we expect God to act promptly on our behalf. What we may not realize at the time is the fact that God is already in action. He is standing with us, patiently supporting us while we gain the experience and knowledge necessary to continue our journey with Christ. When the time is right, when we are prepared to follow Him, then God will reveal the way forward.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).
Thought for Today: Pride often causes us to lash out at God for providing an ‘unacceptable’ solution to a problem that we conveniently forget we created in the first place.
Christ Revealed: As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. I am the Lord, and I will bring you out . . . I will redeem you (Ex. 6:6). Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:18-19).
Word Studies: 5:4 let = distract; 5:8 tale = daily quota; 5:9 vain words = deceitful promises; 5:13 hasted = kept driving; 5:19 in evil case = in trouble; minish = reduce; 5:21 savour = good will; 5:22 evil entreated = afflicted; 6:3 God Almighty = All Sufficient
Pray For :Bible Pathway Printer, Pollock Printing, Nashville TN • Government Officials: Gov.J.B.Pritzker(IL), Rep.Mikie Sherrill(NJ)• Country: Norway (5,147,792) Northern Europe • Major Language: Norwegian • Religious Freedom • 82.1% Evangelical Lutheran; 3.9% Other Christian; 2.3% Muslim; 1.8% Roman Catholic; 2.4% Other; 7.5% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when in despair; He is your Deliverer (Jon. 2:5-6).
Optional ReadingMatthew 19