Hard-hearted people are not impressed by others. Pharaoh remained untouched when God performed miracle after miracle through Moses. When plagues of blood, frogs, and gnats threatened to destroy the land, magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen. . . . (Ex. 8:19a NIV)
Plagues of flies, dead livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness deepened the threat of destruction. Pain and hardship extended throughout Pharaoh’s kingdom, but Pharaoh remained unmoved. Not until the Lord struck down all the first born in Egypt, . . . (12:29a) did he finally respond. He hadn’t suddenly become tender or open to God—he was afraid. He called for Moses during the night, imploring Moses to take the Israelites and leave.
The Bible tells us God actually caused Pharaoh’s heart to harden. That’s a frightening thought. Hardness of heart can creep in with little warning.
The psalmist prayed, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Ps. 51:10) May the psalmist’s prayer be our prayer.
Originally published July 15, 1988.
Picture: Commercial landscape, Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.
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