And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness.     Exodus 14:8 NKJV

In books 4-14 in Exodus, we read time and time again about Pharaoh and his hard heart. We read some passages that say Pharaoh hardened his heart and others say the LORD hardened his heart, but what does this really mean?

I’ve studied this passage several times but was still confused about why God would harden someone’s heart. A person with a hard heart is someone who refuses to turn to God, so why would God want that, right? Well, when I read Warren Wiersbe’s commentary on this matter, it finally made sense to me. God gave Pharaoh numerous opportunities to repent.

Each time God would send a plague on Egypt, He would have Moses warn Pharaoh. Pharaoh would know that it was coming. This was a perfect opportunity for him to repent of his sin and let the people go. This was an opportunity for him to ask Moses to tell him more about the God of the Israelites.

Each plague went against one of the Egyptians’ false gods. It proved them to be useless. God was revealing that He was the one true God with each of these plagues. Still Pharaoh refused to acknowledge God. He refused to give up his foolish pride.

God sent 10 plagues. Moses warned Pharaoh that each plague was coming and still Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go. With the tenth plague, Moses told Pharaoh that about midnight God will go out through Egypt and all the firstborn in the land will die even all the firstborn of their animals. Now you would think that hearing this and knowing God had brought every plague that Moses had warned about, Pharaoh would stop here. He is being told that his firstborn will die.

And in chapter 11, verse 10 it says, “The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land.

God didn’t want Pharaoh to die and go to hell any more than He wants you or me to die and go to hell. We are told in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is not slack considering His promise as some of us consider slackness, but He is patient towards us wanting everyone to repent. God wanted Pharaoh to repent, but each time Pharaoh refused, his heart became harder.

These plagues God sent on Egypt was to show them and the Israelites that He was the one true God. We know that some of the Egyptians became believers through this and some even left with the Israelites as we are told a mixed multitude marched out of Egypt in Exodus 12:38.

Has God been showing you things to try to make a believer out of you? Are you a believer whose heart has been hardened by pride? Whatever the case, God is being patient with you. You can still turn to Him and repent. You can be saved. Trust in Him and love Him with all your heart.

Pharaoh missed at least 10 opportunities to turn to God and trust in Him. These missed opportunities and hard heart led to not only him but all his horses and soldiers drowning in the Red Sea. Don’t miss another opportunity. Let go of your pride and turn to God today.

Have a great day!