It appears the Pharaoh who ruled in the early chapters of Exodus was dead by the time Moses sought to free Israel Exodus ; But Amenhotep II is also identified as the exodus Pharaoh by many biblical interpreters—the most popular choice.
What can be known is this: The Pharaoh of the exodus was incredibly resistant to letting the Israelites leave Egypt! The pharaohs had enslaved the Israelites—the number of which is disputed by Bible scholars—for years Exodus before the exodus. Ancient Pharaohs were considered gods, which contributed to their arrogance.
The pharaoh of the exodus was an evil, totalitarian dictator—cruel and vindictive, brutally abusing and oppressing the Israelites Exodus ; ; ; It can cause people to resist and disobey God. God gives such people over to their sinful desires, emanating from a debased, reprobate mind Romans , Pride and arrogance certainly can deceive and harden a heart Obadiah ; Daniel These words indicate a progression.
The ruler was already stiff-necked and cruel. Sometimes it is ambiguous as to who is causing the strengthening, and sometimes God actively does it.
About Us. Contact us. Advertise with Us. Terms Of Service. Privacy Policy. Subscriber Agreement. JPost Jobs. Cancel Subscription. Customer Service. The Jerusalem Post Group. Breaking News. We have more control over our actions than our emotions, and if we utilize what is in our power, we will eventually acquire what is not as much in our power. This is true in both directions. However, as Luzzatto implies, the situation is never permanent. Even then, the gates to the divine — and to ourselves — are always open.
We can do the work of goodness in the world. It was simply a matter of God ceasing to strive with Pharaoh, offering him the continual grace of warnings, and allowing him to have his own way and learn the lesson the hard way. This is not cruel, but sometimes a necessary way to deal with obstinate people.
Most parents have experienced a situation wherein their son or daughter was insistent on a particular course of behavior or a decision of consequence that the parent knew would lead to disaster. At that point, all a parent can do is step back and allow their son or daughter to experience the pain of a bad decision.
Sometimes the child learns that lesson and does not repeat it. Others, sadly, will continue to insist on having things their way, no matter what warnings they might have received. Pharaoh was the latter of the two examples. He had to experience the pain and disaster before he gave in, and even then, he refused to admit he was no match for the Almighty God of the Israelites Exodus Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart. Let us not make the mistake of ascribing evil behavior to the holy God.
He tried again and again to reason with him, to warn him, but Pharaoh refused. Do not be like Pharaoh. Heed the warnings God provides in Scripture, do your best to live in His will and you will avoid a hard heart. Who Was Moses in the Bible?
Book of Exodus Summary. Can God Heal a Broken Heart? He is the host of Expedition Truth , a one-hour apologetics radio talk show.
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