Exodus 10-12

Within the these chapters I found the word "harden(ed)" fifteen times with three additional uses in Exodus 14. Whenever I see that many repetitions of a word I have to stop and consider it. In fact that term is not used at all in Genesis. This is the first appearance of the idea in Scripture.

Sometimes, it is God who is hardening Pharaoh's heart, other incidents have Pharaoh hardening his own heart, while the majority do not speak to the source of hardening. Hardening has the Hebrew meaning, to make strong. God enabled Pharaoh to remain strong against Him as He brought forth His plagues.

Why would God do this? I think He did it for several reasons. Here are a couple: His glory, presenting a fuller revelation of Himself to the world (as Ex 10:16 states), to exact judgment on a country now being built on the backs of His oppressed people, and also to memorialize a Passover sacrifice, which would one day point to His Christ. "When I see the blood I will pass over you." What a gracious picture of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We deserved the same judgment as the Egyptians would receive for our sins, but because of the blood we are spared, just as these first Hebrews were in the land of Egypt.

Through salvation history God continues to more fully develop the Messianic role His Son would fill. As the pages of canon are turned we learn more and more about the person and nature of the Savior. Feasts established which He will fulfill, a temple erected to symbolize His dwelling place with man, and the sacrificial system inaugurated to point to the final sacrifice are just a few examples. Through life experiences, the nation of Israel is being explained their role and expected understanding of their promised Messiah.

God doesn't empower Pharaoh just for kicks. He empowers him so that the world may have a glimpse at the power and judgments of the one true living God of Israel. He empowers him at this time to withstand Him, just as He did with Jacob when he wrestled with God. In both cases God could have utterly destroyed the opponent, but God allows them to stand long enough that they might realize His preeminence.

Are you standing in opposition to God's call today? The longer you do, the worse it may get, to the point that He may lead you into utter ruins so that you might finally acknowledge His greatness. Take a lesson from Egypt, don't go there!