How could Pharaoh be morally responsible, if his own heart was hardened by God?
2007-02-21 06:19:14 · 13 answers · asked by Pastor Biker 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sometimes in the Bible, things are spoken of as if God did it when in fact, God allowed it. There is a difference. Exodus 7:3 reports that God lets Pharaoh's heart become obstinate. Exodus 4:21 reports the same thing. Exodus 8:15 reports that Pharaoh he made his heart unresponsive when he received relief from a plague and this pattern is repeated over and over. A consideration of the entire account shows that it is the king who is hardening his own heart.
Exodus 5:1-5 gives insight into the attitude and heart condition of Pharaoh. Notice that in the beginning, all Moses requested was that the Hebrews be allowed to go into the wilderness a journey of three days to sacrifice to God. (Exodus 5:3). Even for three days, Pharaoh would not allow it. Verse 3 shows his disrespectful attitude for he arrogantly asks Moses: "Who is Jehovah? I don't know him at all." In essence, he is saying, 'I don't care who your God is, he means nothing to me. I don't recognize him or any authority he may have. I'm Pharaoh and you do as I say.'
So in truth, God did not harden his heart – Pharaoh hardened his own heart.
Hannah J Paul
2007-02-21 06:39:36 · answer #1 · answered by Hannah J Paul 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I've heard preachers try to argue semantics on this one. They claim that the phrase "God hardened Pharoh's heart" actually means "God allowed Pharoh's heart to be hardened." They claim that in the original language there was not a proper way to put it into words the way it should be. If God did not actually harden the heart but merely allowed it to be hardened, he cannot be held responsible... kinda like how he allowed the holocaust, 9/11, the great tsunami, hurricane katrina, etc.
Theists will twist scripture to support what they have already determined to be true. That's part of the reason why there are so many different sects of Christianity: open interpretation of the bible. What a nightmare it has become!
2007-02-21 14:37:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rob: Good question.
But I have it from the VERY best of experts IN Ancient Languages, the term,
"Pharoah" is, in fact a Gallilean Term -Absolutely NOT,
an Egyptian word: (THEY called their "Kings: Kings)!
-This term, "Pharoah" came down TO us when the semi-desert tribe:
The Gallileans noticed that the Babalonian Army had TOTALLY
'swept-up' the ENTIRE population of fertile, nearby, "Israel".. .
The Leader OF these Gallileans, (who, incidentally; who HAD NOT MOVED
-EVER); saw a chance to [totally re-write] History: and under THEIR King,
Jerimiah -set-about the task [at top speed], refering to Israel
as "THE Promised Land"; and also wrote, as IF the entire tribe had been
"under-the-yolk" -of The Egyptian "Pharoah".!
NO Gallilean had EVER BEEN in Egypt! As I have twice, before stated
ON this bard: The Pyramids were totally built by contracted teams of Egyptians..
(there may have been a couple of 'Jewish' ya-ya's -down there,
earning a few extra dinnas: THAT is all: there wasn't any -Jewish
"Moses", -either: NONE ! No mention OF such a character in ALL the masses
of Egyptian writings -we can so easily read -since the Napolianic Army
discovered "the key" to reading ALL languages..
used by scholars IN that area: the fabled, 'Rosetta Stone".
Sorry; but all Old-Testament Scholars, AND the Archaologists
today, know -virtually- "the Complete TRUTH" !
2007-02-21 14:57:44 · answer #3 · answered by Captain M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
people in politics are responsible, for instead of saying they trust only the Kingdom of God and that God is the rightful ruler, they have the aspiration to fill God's shoes in that aspect. God hardened the Pharoh's heart because he wanted his will to be done, and an example to made to all of Egypt not to mess with him and his people. You must understand that Egypt had treated the Jews horribly, and that a little payback was in order.
We should not trust any human politician, or put our faith in human governments, because they are absolutely useless. The only government that will ever heal this world is the Kingdom. Jesus came down to earth not only to save us, but as a pre election campaign. He showed us, that under his rule he would raise people from the dead, feed the hungry, heal the sick etc. Down with Pharaoh!!!!!
2007-02-21 14:28:37 · answer #4 · answered by Starjumper the R&S Cow 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Especially when it's recorded at least three times that Pharoah was about to give in and God stepped in to harden his heart to keep him from doing so.
2007-02-21 14:22:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
God is sovereign.....and yes, He hardened Pharaoh's heart. Read Romans 9....explains this a little better than I can.
2007-02-21 14:22:40 · answer #6 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pharoah was not morally good to begin with. GOD hardened his heart so he could not turn to GOD.
2007-02-21 14:23:18 · answer #7 · answered by Tribble Macher 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good question. I have often felt sorry for ole Pharaoh in that as I read it that he was not in control of his heart and actions. It seems to me that he had given up a couple of times and was going to let them go, but......
2007-02-21 14:38:04 · answer #8 · answered by mohayrix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pharaoh had the choice. God just knew how he was going to use his choice. God had to do what he had to do to get the job done without interfering with the free will.
2007-02-21 14:22:44 · answer #9 · answered by Nina, BaC 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hooray! Paradox time! The answer is: he can't be! Either the OT is wrong or everything we know about morality is turned on its head.
Well done, you get a gold star.
You do, actually, its right there under the question.
2007-02-21 14:22:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋