The Hardened heart!

When I was young, whenever I read about the Lord hardening the heart of Pharaoh, I remember thinking how a just God can punish someone when He Himself has hardened his heart! God gives one reason in Exodus 7:3, "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt". But still, why did God punish the Pharaoh after hardening his heart?

God had actually waited for 430 years! God had given time to the Pharaoh to repent! God once again called the Pharaoh to humble himself and acknowledge the Lord as his authority. But Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go." (Ex 5:1-2). Even after this, God gave Pharaoh opportunities to repent and humble himself. Commentators say that during the ten plagues, for four or five plagues, the Hebrew word used means the Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Every one of those plagues was an opportunity to repent! When the wickedness of Nineveh came up before God, God sent Jonah (Jonah 1:2) and when the people of Nineveh repented, the Lord did not punish them. When Sapphira walked in not knowing what had happened to her husband Ananias, God gave her a chance to come clean and tell the truth! But she failed in that test. When Peter asked, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" She said, "Yes, for so much"(Acts 5:8) and that resulted in judgment.

God is patient and long-suffering. But that is not an excuse to continue in sin. All unconfessed sin will bring forth the wrath of God for God is Holy. God gives us opportunities to repent and return to Him. Every day we wake-up in this world is an opportunity to repent since Jesus came into this world making a way for just that.

My friend, think of what the Lord has been talking to you lately? Is it about giving tithe or is it about giving time and talents to God? Or is it about reconciliation and restoration of a relationship? Or is it about the unforgiveness and secret sins of the heart? Whatever it may be, do not procrastinate for the Bible says in Proverbs 29:1, "He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy".

Categories: Weekly DevotionalsAuthor: Hephzibah StephenDate: 17th September 2019 Share: newsletterDisplay date: 18th September 2019

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