1. “And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.” Exodus 4:21 “But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said.” Exodus 8:15

2. 1.Ex. 4:21 - “I will harden his heart” 2.Ex. 7:3 - “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart” 3.Ex. 7:13 - “And he hardened Pharaoh's heart,” 4.Ex. 9:12 - “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh” 5.Ex.10:1 - “for I have hardened his heart” 6.Ex.10:20 - “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart” 7.Ex.10:27 - “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart” 8.Ex.11:10 - “and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart” 9.Ex.14:4 - “And I will harden Pharaoh's heart” 10.Ex.14:8 - “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh”

3. 1.Ex. 7:14 - “Pharaoh's heart is hardened” 2.Ex. 7:22 - “and Pharaoh's heart was hardened” 3.Ex. 8:15 - “he hardened his heart,” 4.Ex. 8:19 - “and Pharaoh's heart was hardened” 5.Ex. 8:32 - “And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time” 6.Ex. 9:7 - “And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened” 7.Ex. 9:34 - “and hardened his heart” 8.Ex. 9:35 - “And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened”

4. John Calvin  Taught that mankind is predestined by God  Said that man does not choose to be saved or lost  But God chooses for man  Used the Hardening of Pharaoh’s heart as a proof “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18. Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.” Romans 9:17-18 Exodus 9:16

5. Made a demand of Pharaoh Made a demand of Pharaoh - “Let my people go” Three reasons Pharaoh refused: 1. Not good politics 2. Not good for his financial standing 3. Would not look well for him Sent the Plagues upon Pharaoh To teach him that there was one God in control He was stubborn

6. Blood Frogs Lice Flies Murrain Boils Hail Locusts Darkness Death of Firstborn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plagues If Pharaoh would have repented then God would have removed or ceased the plagues.

7. He was Selfish Looked to his own interests Filled with Pride Knew nothing about the God of Heaven Asked Moses who this was Opposes the demands of God

8. 17. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18. Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 19. You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?"

9. God raised up Pharaoh for the purpose of showing his power in him Pharaoh had the free choice of obeying or not obeying God. God said “Let my people go”. Pharaoh responded by saying: “Who is Jehovah that I should hearken unto His voice?” Ex.5:2 Felt Israel belonged to him. They were his property He was willing to pit his strength against Jehovah !

10. Example of Lydia - “the Lord opened her heart” Acts 16:14 How? By God’s word God hardened Pharaoh’s heart ! How ? Forced him to make a decision Moses announced God’s instructions Pharaoh decided to resist God’s demands God can open a heart - through His word - two responses… Obedience – open heart Disobedience – hard heart

11. Softens wax Hardens clay Submission - obey Rejection - disobey

12. Sin makes the heart harder and harder and less receptive to the will of God. God produces hardness of heart by giving time and space for man to oppose. God is not guilty of wrong in so doing ! Humans are created with free moral agency and are responsible for their own actions!

13. If you will hear his voice harden not your heart You determine the effect of God’s demands upon yourself. If you reject then your heart becomes hardened But if you yield it will have a melting effect and the ultimate conversion of your soul to God.

14. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249evanscoc@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening July 10, 2011