One of the most difficult questions in all of theology is the question of free will. And it is raised most starkly in the story of Pharaoh.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Many times. Again and again. The text says it.
But what does that mean? And what does it mean for us?
The Story
In Exodus, after each plague, Pharaoh's heart is hardened. Sometimes the text says Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Sometimes it says God hardened Pharaoh's heart.
"But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said."
Exodus 9:35And again:
"The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not let the people go."
Exodus 14:17God hardened Pharaoh's heart. That is what the text says. And it raises a difficult question. If God hardened Pharaoh's heart, how can Pharaoh be held responsible? How can he be judged for something God did?
The Same in the New Testament
This is not just an Old Testament issue. Paul addresses it in Romans.
"What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory."
Romans 9:22-23God endures vessels of wrath with much patience. But they are prepared for destruction. That means they were created for that purpose. By God.
And then Paul asks the hard question:
"Then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
Romans 9:18He hardens whomever he wills. That is a hard statement. God hardens hearts. Whomever He wills.
How to Understand This
Now, there are different ways to understand this. And I want to be careful here because this is a deeply contested issue.
One view is that God determines everything. Every event. Every decision. Every heart. This is hard determinism or Calvinism.
Another view is that God works in concert with human free will. He hardens hearts that are already moving in that direction. He does not create the rebellion, but He permits it and uses it.
A third view is that the language of hardening is not about overriding free will, but about giving people over to the consequences of their choices.
The hardening of hearts is a difficult topic. But it is in Scripture. God hardened Pharaoh's heart. He hardens whomever He wills. We cannot explain it away. We have to wrestle with it.
Try This Today
This is one of those topics where we have to admit we do not have all the answers. God is sovereign. He does what He wills. And we trust Him. Even when we do not understand. Even when it seems unfair. We trust Him.
The Call
Whatever your view of free will, the call is the same. Do not harden your heart. Do not resist the Holy Spirit. Do not turn away from Christ.
The hardening is a warning, not a promise. If you are soft toward God, stay soft. Do not harden.
And if you have hardened, know that it is not too late. Ask God to soften your heart. Ask Him to give you a new heart. He is able.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."
Ezekiel 36:26He will give you a new heart. That is the promise. And that is what we need.
Father, I thank You that You are sovereign over all things, even when I do not understand Your ways. Help me to trust You even in the hard questions. Keep my heart soft toward You. Do not let me harden my heart against Your Spirit. Give me a new heart that loves You and walks in Your ways. In Jesus Name, Amen.
With honesty and hope,
Claire