Questions About Predestination (part two)

This week I will address the second part of a question submitted by a member of the congregation. This member asked a question regarding first how we are predestined, and with that, what did the Spirit mean regarding the choice of Jacob over Esau before they were born, which was answered in the first installment. We will now focus on the reference to Pharaoh of Egypt in that same passage.

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? 

(Romans 9:17-9)

This passage is commonly used by those of the Reformed background to push their determinist theology. Does this passage mean that God removed the free will of Pharaoh of Egypt, judiciously hardening his heart? We will seek to answer this question by defining harden and utilizing the text of the Exodus account to explain how Pharoah's heart was hardened.

Who Hardened Pharoah’s Heart?

The Bible says God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exod. 9:12; 10:1-2; 10:20, 27; 11:10). The Bible also says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Exod. 8:15, 32; 9:34). This means one of two things: sometimes God hardens Pharoah's heart and sometimes Pharaoh hardens his own, or it could also mean that both God and Pharaoh have a part in the hardening of his heart in both occasions.

What Does Harden Mean?

 Harden is generally the word people think of when they think of the Exodus ordeal with Pharaoh. Linguistically this writer would most likely agree. The Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic domains suggests, “The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is an age-old problem, one that is more theological than linguistic. The Hebrew verb hazaq  חָזַק  occurs 12 times in the narrative (Ex 4-14) mostly with the Lord as the agent, but four times in the passive or stative sense.”

Thus, there does not seem to be any issue with the translation. Perhaps strengthen would work in the place of harden, but also the word stubborn.  This is the state of Pharaoh's heart as recorded in Exodus 3:19-20, “And I know that the king of Egypt will not give you leave to go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will put forth my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.”

 The translation of the word harden still can be challenging to those who believe in free will. However, the problem here is not necessarily with the word but the understanding of the semantics. Pharaoh willfully sinned because of who God was to him. God challenged the authority of the king of Egypt and essentially made his worldly kingdom look foolish and futile. So, because of these things, Pharaoh, rather than submitting to God's request, rebelled and his heart was hardened by who God is. If you believe that you are a god yourself you will resist the God of Heaven who commands anything of you. Imagine being the king who ruled not only over the Egyptian people but over their Hebrew slaves. Why would you relent to the God of the Hebrews who you subdued?

Did Pharaoh Lose His Free Will at Any Point?

No, Pharoah did not lose his free will. He had the choice to respond to Jehovah's command positively each time the Lord said, “Let my people go.” Yet, he willfully chose not to. His heart was hardened by the command. This happens to many this day. When a preacher presents the plan of salvation to hearers, one of two things can happen for a lost person. First, they can choose to obey the Gospel. The other option is they can remain lost.

The heart can be cut or pricked in two ways.  The preaching of the Gospel had this effect in the first century as well. On the Day of Pentecost about 3000 obeyed the Gospel and were added to the church. Why? Their heart was pricked by the Word of God (cf. Acts 2:37-41). The same Gospel was preached again by Stephen in Acts 7. The scripture tells us these individuals were cut to the heart. However, rather than following the example of the aforementioned Christians in Acts 2, they chose to murder Stephen.

Finally, I present that God would not make Pharaoh sin, He cannot make man sin. It is against His character; the Scripture testifies to such.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death. (emphasis mine)

(James 1:13-15)

Pharaoh and each of us today have the option to receive the Word of God and obey it or to choose to reject it and thus have our hearts hardened. He is responsible for the command; you are responsible for your actions. Choose wisely.  

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic ed.) (DBLH 2616, #12). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.