Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart Didn’t Start With God

Much is made of the fact that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart in Calvinistic and Lordship Salvation circles. It’s said that this shows that God hardens the hearts of those who are not Elect. It’s used as a proof-text to show that God decides who goes to Heaven, and who goes to Hell. We read in Exodus 9:12

But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.

But the first hardening of Pharaoh’s heart came from Pharaoh himself. The Lord had His plans and they were going to be accomplished, but God did not harden a soft heart. He did not take someone who would have been receptive to the Truth and change him to so that he would not believe. Exodus 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said

Those who say such things are doing something that is at least akin to blaspheme because it is the Devil who takes the word of truth out of the hearts of people so that they won’t believe. Luke 8:32

Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

Brethren speak the Gospel with confidence. The one you are witnessing too IS able to hear and believe. Do not run from the Devil for the word of God says submit yourselves to God, resist the Devil and he will flee. So do as God has said and preach Salvation to the Lost, resist the Devil by having an answer for the hope that is within you and that same Devil will flee. You will have freedom to witness, and those who believe will be saved. James 4:7 Mark 16:15-16 1 Peter 3:15

We read this truth expressed to a the Prophet Ezekiel who was to be a sign to Israel in Ezekiel 12:1-6

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
"Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.

Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight. You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house.
By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go in their sight, like those who go into captivity. Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your belongings out through it.

In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel."

And we read it expressed to the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 5:20-23

"Declare this in the house of Jacob And proclaim it in Judah, saying, 'Hear this now, O foolish people, Without understanding, Who have eyes and see not, And who have ears and hear not:

Do you not fear Me?' says the LORD. 'Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it.

But this people has a defiant and rebellious heart; They have revolted and departed.

Go at once in unshakeable confidence in the Word of God Dear Christian!