Imagine Moses’ bewilderment when God, having told Moses to order Pharaoh to let his people go, now announces that he is going to harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he won’t listen to Moses. What is the point of that? Why would God want Moses to speak to someone whom God would cause to not listen? It seems like a good question, but no answer is given. The closest thing we have to an answer for this is later in 9:16: “But I have raised [Pharaoh] up for this very purpose, that I might show … my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Paul quotes this very verse in Romans 9 when he is defending God’s prerogative to make the ultimate choices when it comes to the destiny of human beings. I have always struggled with this truth, but truth it is, and, though it causes me some difficulty intellectually, it also provides me great comfort. Because, if God will harden someone’s heart to have his glory displayed in judgement, how much more will God be willing to soften someone’s hard heart to display his glory in the outpouring of grace. I often feel daunted by the hardness of my own heart to God. I feel the situation is impossible. But if God will harden a heart to show justice, I know he can and will soften a heart to show mercy. ‘Lord, soften my heart so that I will be willing and able to hear your voice.’
Pray this prayer.
Read Exodus 4:18-23
