Introduction

  • If you were so inclined, could you make a loved one upset?
  • Exodus 7:1-5 – Did God control Pharaoh’s mind in some miraculous way?
  • People lose their faith over these sorts of topics.
  • God presented a choice that He knew Pharaoh would not accept, thus hardening his heart.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart

  • Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1, 20, 27; 11:10; 14:4, 8, 17

Pharaoh hardened his own heart

  • Exodus 8:15, 32; 9:34

Pharaoh’s heart is hardened

  • Exodus 7:13, 22-23; 8:19; 9:7, 35

The hearts of Pharaoh and his servants are hardened

  • Exodus 9:34-10:1

God’s knowledge of the future does not take away Pharaoh’s free will.

  • Exodus 13:17-18, 21
  • Exodus 14:1-8

God’s foreknowledge

  • Exodus 3:19-21; 6:1; 7:4; 8:14-15, 19; 9:11-12, 15-16; 11:1, 9
  • Acts 2:23

Pharaoh’s free will

  • Exodus 7:14, 16; 8:2; 9:2, 17, 20-21, 27; 10:3-4, 16-17; 13:15
  • Exodus 6:1 – God knew this stubborn man would resist!

Take-aways

  • Watch out for Calvinist claims.
    • Romans 9:17-18 – God does not choose salvation for people.
  • Be assured that God is just.
    • James 1:13; Colossians 3:25 – Sin is never God’s fault.
  • Learn from Pharaoh’s terrible mistakes!
    • Soften your heart to God!