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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Exodus 7:3-4 says, "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty act...
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Agnes Stuart
Supporter
This is something that puzzled me for a long time, but I think the answer might be this: Supposing I know I will make someone angry (harden their heart) by doing a certain thing and I go ahead and do it because I think it is the right thing to do (and not because I want to make the person angry or harden their heart deliberately) I can say, “I will make him/her angry” before I carry out the action. I can say it simply because I know the person and know that’s how they will react. And after I have carried out the action I will be able to observe the person’s reaction and, if my prediction was correct, I could then say, “I made him/her angry.” God knew Pharaoh's heart inside out and exactly how he would react when Moses did what God asked him to do, so He could say, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.” without the implication that He wanted to deliberately harden his heart. He was simply stating that that’s what would happen.. And after Moses did what God asked, Pharaoh did harden his heart, and God could then also say, “I hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” Hope that makes sense!
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