“But when Pharaoh saw that relief had come, he became stubborn. He refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had predicted. So the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Raise your staff and strike the ground. The dust will turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’” So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. When Aaron raised his hand and struck the ground with his staff, gnats infested the entire land, covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats. Pharaoh’s magicians tried to do the same thing with their secret arts, but this time they failed. And the gnats covered everyone, people and animals alike. “This is the finger of God!” the magicians exclaimed to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart remained hard. He wouldn’t listen to them, just as the Lord had predicted. Then the Lord told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand in Pharaoh’s way as he goes down to the river. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you refuse, then I will send swarms of flies on you, your officials, your people, and all the houses. The Egyptian homes will be filled with flies, and the ground will be covered with them. But this time I will spare the region of Goshen, where my people live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the Lord and that I am present even in the heart of your land. I will make a clear distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.’” And the Lord did just as he had said. A thick swarm of flies filled Pharaoh’s palace and the houses of his officials. The whole land of Egypt was thrown into chaos by the flies. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron. “All right! Go ahead and offer sacrifices to your God,” he said. “But do it here in this land.” But Moses replied, “That wouldn’t be right. The Egyptians detest the sacrifices that we offer to the Lord our God. Look, if we offer our sacrifices here where the Egyptians can see us, they will stone us. We must take a three-day trip into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, just as he has commanded us.” “All right, go ahead,” Pharaoh replied. “I will let you go into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord your God. But don’t go too far away. Now hurry and pray for me.” Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord, and tomorrow the swarms of flies will disappear from you and your officials and all your people. But I am warning you, Pharaoh, don’t lie to us again and refuse to let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” So Moses left Pharaoh’s palace and pleaded with the Lord to remove all the flies. And the Lord did as Moses asked and caused the swarms of flies to disappear from Pharaoh, his officials, and his people. Not a single fly remained. But Pharaoh again became stubborn and refused to let the people go.”
Exodus 8:15-32 NLT
Scripture tells us that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but what many don’t understand is that this wasn’t done by God’s decree. God didn’t flip a switch or say the magic words under which Pharaoh, then became hardened. Pharaoh’s hard had an inclination against God and his people. God removed all the obstacles that would keep him from his own demise and destruction. God allowed Pharaoh many opportunities to choose to honor God or not. This was done by the constant challenge to his Pharaoh’s authority. However, it was also achieved by Moses’ constant offering to Pharaoh the chance to relent and let his people worship. But Pharaoh refused. He lied and manipulated and mocked Moses and God at every opportunity. He dug in his own heels. This is the process of God’s hardening of hearts. It is the opportunity to repent. Ironically, this is also the process of the softening of hearts as well. The constant opportunity to repent when one comes face to face with a God who is bigger than them. It is for this reason, as predicted, that Pharaoh’s destruction can only be blamed upon himself. He was a cruel and vile man who didn’t care for his people. Given the opportunity, he would naturally usher them into destruction rather than submit to God. God cannot be blamed for hardening his heart. God merely stopped protecting him from his own demise any longer.
God’s Role in Pharaoh’s Hardening: God didn’t directly harden Pharaoh’s heart; instead, He removed obstacles and presented Pharaoh with opportunities to choose between honoring Him or not.
Pharaoh’s Response: Pharaoh consistently refused to repent, lying, manipulating, and mocking Moses and God, ultimately leading to his own downfall.
The Process of Hardening/Softening Hearts: The process of God hardening or softening hearts involves constant opportunities for repentance, highlighting the individual’s responsibility in their spiritual journey.
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