Why in the world would God harden someone’s heart? Why did He harden Pharoah’s heart (you know, back when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt)? How could a God of love possibly do such a thing? If you’ve ever wondered about that, then you’ll enjoy the insight this article provides.
Does God Harden Hearts?
In what sense and why does a God of love harden hearts?
God never encourages ones heart to grow harder. Sin and a lack of faith will do that. BUT, God will from time to time, withhold His mercy from those who have turned from Him before.
We read in Tit 3:10 “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
We know from Scripture that never lies, that God is not willing that any should perish. Here is where many confuse scripture that refers to pre destination. He is not willing that any should perish, but in His Omniscience, He knows who will reject Him.
O.T. God sent hornets upon some, knowing that He would not change their wills, but He did make them willing to go.
He blinded the eyes of those who in Sodom wanted to do ill, but it wasn’t out of compassion, it was His knowing their minds already.
Pharaoh had already made his wicked mind up. He had already turned himself over to hardening. God was, if someone will just take into account, the way the Hebrew verbage is, just witholding His mercy.