And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Exodus 11:10
Isn't the whole point to get God's people OUT of there?
Why keep him from letting them go?
2006-09-25 04:03:33 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because God is a heartless and does not care for human life.
2006-09-25 04:10:18 · answer #1 · answered by October 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
In order to fully answer your question I must explain a very important fact; When the scripture states: "God hardened Pharaohs heart" that means God allowed all of Pharaoh's life experiences to cause him to reject God's chosen people, the Israelites. Now with that being said; why did God allow Pharaoh's heart to be harden towards Moses constant requests to release the Israelites from slavery? So that when Pharaoh finally (after much calamity in Egypt) let the Israelites go, Moses realized God changed Pharaoh's heart--and nothing else. God also hardened Pharaoh's heart so that when the Israelites were set free they would also realize God was the only one who rescued them from the bondage of slavery they were in. In conclusion: God used Pharaoh's hardened heart to increase the faith of Moses and the Israelites.
2006-09-25 11:22:31 · answer #2 · answered by craftedbutterfly 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If a kid kicks the back of your airplane seat, does he "make you mad" or do you let yourself get mad because of what the kid si doing?
Apply this to the quote above and you will see that the meaning of the verse is that "as a result of Moses and Aaron doing all these wonders before Pharaoh: Pharaoh hardened his heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land."
2006-09-25 11:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
He hardened the heart of Pharoah to show that neither Egypts magicians nor their false God's could match the power of the true God. By refusing to free the Israelites, God was able to bring each of the ten plagues against Egypt, while God's people were not affected by them. He did protect them and Exodus 14:4 says: "Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so."
That is why God continued to harden Pharaoh's heart--to gain honor over the ruler of all Egypt and to make them know that he alone is Almighty God.
The Israelites also got to see the greatness of their God and believed in him and their leader, Moses, especially after being brought safetly across the Red Sea in full view of the Egyptians, who perished by God's mighty power.
2006-09-25 11:37:21 · answer #4 · answered by Micah 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gods power was demonstrated in Moses and the plagues on Egypt. God wanted everyone to know His power, that is why he hardened Pharaohs heart, so He would get the glory.
2006-09-25 11:07:53 · answer #5 · answered by BAnne 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If God had had Pharaoh let them go, who do you think would have gotten the glory for it? If Pharaoh had let them go, the Hebrews would have been thankful to Pharaoh instead of acknowledging God and His love for them that made Him want to free him from slavery. It's the same reason God uses the weak, small, or miserable people over and over in the Bible, so no one looks at those great happenings and says 'Wow, that guy must be really strong,' etc. He wants us to acknowledge Him and develop a relationship with Him and so He tries to show His power, mercy, and grace to us through things like this. If you notice, they still left but in a way that can not deny God's hand in it.
2006-09-25 12:07:09 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
One has to wonder about these things? Why does God "send
delusion so people will believe a lie"? Has He hardened Bush's
heart, so that His will can be done?
The first word for God in the Book, is Elohim. Which means
"gods". I feel the God we can't understand are the Powers
and Principalities. This is a paradox. In that they are doing Gods
will at a certain level, because they are "allowed" to be in power.
But I don't feel they do the Creators will in that God gives orders
for everything.
It says that the "Hosts of Heaven" will be punished during this time of spiritual upheaval, So I do';t feel everything these powers do is always righteous in our Creators eyes.
2006-09-25 11:12:41 · answer #7 · answered by zenbuddhamaster 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pharoah's heart was already inclined toward being hard, so God was not violating Pharoah's free will in allowing Pharoah's heart to be hardened. God hardened Pharoah's heart so that there would be organized opposition to the Israelites leaving Egypt so that He could show the Israelites through the plagues, deaths of the firstborn, parting of the Red Sea, etc., that He was in control and would provide for the Israelites when He brought them out of captivity. Of course, they were slow to learn, if their grumbling against God despite His obvious miracles were any indication.
2006-09-25 11:25:12 · answer #8 · answered by Pastor Chad from JesusFreak.com 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God wanted to 'show' Egypt His might, His love, etc. He was also 'tearing' down Pharaoh's god's. There was a lot of things going on there. The Israelites were NOT wanting to go at that point either....they, many of them were born and raised there; that was 'home'. I am sure that many of them were more familiar with the Egyptians customs than some of their own at this point. Again, there were many 'thing's' going on that God was 'handling'.
2006-09-25 11:10:44 · answer #9 · answered by nici a 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In reality God didnt harden Pharaos heart. There is a concept of free will which is a gift that God gives us so we can make the right choices and earn Heaven and eternal reward. God gave Pharao 5 chances. After the 5th Plague God took away his free choice so Pharaos true nature took over. His true nature is evil. At that time God said that "I will take them out of Egypt with great and awesome wonders." This was a world where every1 served Pagan gods. Pharao considered himself a god. So God wanted to show him and all the world that there is only One God and no other.
2006-09-25 11:07:15 · answer #10 · answered by DefenderOfTheMeek22 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
A mistranslation in the Bible - It should read "...But Pharaoh hardened his heart..."
2006-09-25 13:22:38 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋