To My Daughters,
We read some sad words in Exodus 7.
And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.--Exodus 7:13
The words and Pharaoh's heart grew hard or But Pharaoh hardened his heart are read several times over the plague portions of Exodus. There will come a time, however, when we will read the verse that says this:
"The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh."
Uh oh. After reading some commentaries and looking into the meaning of the word "hardened" I understand that there are two Hebrew words for the word we know as hardened. The first is used when referencing the conduct of Pharaoh. (Pharaoh's heart grew hard or Pharaoh hardened his heart) This Hebrew word implies a stubbornness, an act of rebellion. Pharaoh made his own heart heavy and insensible by his stubbornness and refusual to obey the voice of God. The other Hebrew word means to make firm as a piece of clay that is hardened in the fire This is what God did to Pharaoh's heart. Here is the chain of events. Pharaoh rebelled against God and in doing so, repeatedly hardened his heart against Him. God then came along and made His position firm. He gave Pharaoh exactly what he wanted. He left him to the fruit of his own way. This is the wrath of abandonment. (See Proverbs Chapter 1:24-31)
God is stepping back and leaving Pharaoh and all of Egypt with him to the consequences of his own sinful choices. They will be filled with their own way and their sin will be their ruin. Genesis 6:3 tells us that God's Spirit will not strive with us forever. The price for Pharaoh was staggering. Egypt was destroyed, All the first born males of Egypt met with death and both Pharaoh and his army drowned in the Red Sea while pursuing God's people.
Sometimes God has to break us and bring us to the end of ourselves in order to bring about true repentance. How much easier would it be for us if when we were in sin and had walked away from our Father, if we would just come back. Put aside our pride and turn. Take ourselves off the throne and put God back in His rightful place. How much easier for us...how much easier for God...how much better for those around us.
Swallowing your pride gets easier and easier the more you do it. It gets harder and harder the more you put off doing it. When you put it off the lump you need to swallow gets larger and larger and looms hugely in front of you gathering ammunition whenever and wherever it can to fortify its own position. Don't be its victim. The answer is simple...just go back...face your own sin...God's love and forgiveness will be there and make the crooked places straight again. Cut your losses and put aside your pride. As you move and do this by faith, God's grace will be there...the balloon of self will burst and you will see the Father's love for you with eyes no longer obstructed by your pride...turning will bring the peaceable fruit of righteousness. If you have never done this...do this today. Our pride is the biggest obstacle between us and God...it is the difference between an eternity spent in hell and an eternity spent in heaven with Jesus. Acknowledge your sin...acknowledge your need for Him and come to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think.
Swallowing your pride gets easier and easier the more you do it. It gets harder and harder the more you put off doing it. When you put it off the lump you need to swallow gets larger and larger and looms hugely in front of you gathering ammunition whenever and wherever it can to fortify its own position. Don't be its victim. The answer is simple...just go back...face your own sin...God's love and forgiveness will be there and make the crooked places straight again. Cut your losses and put aside your pride. As you move and do this by faith, God's grace will be there...the balloon of self will burst and you will see the Father's love for you with eyes no longer obstructed by your pride...turning will bring the peaceable fruit of righteousness. If you have never done this...do this today. Our pride is the biggest obstacle between us and God...it is the difference between an eternity spent in hell and an eternity spent in heaven with Jesus. Acknowledge your sin...acknowledge your need for Him and come to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think.
Love
Mom
