Hardened Hearts

Hardened Hearts

        Did any of us think we would be living in a time like this? The world has been locked down and it feels like a plague has overtaken the land. Similar event happened during the time the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt. Egypt held the Hebrews captive for 400 years. Moses was chosen as the deliverer by God and God demanded his people to be set free. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened and he would not heed the will of God. God sent the 10 plagues to convince Pharaoh to set the Hebrews free and allow them to worship God. Watching America now I wonder if many people are like the Pharaoh who continues to ignore/harden their hearts toward God. Convincing themselves that this is not really happening and that their false idols were more powerful than the true living God.

        The first plague was turning Water into Blood. The Nile was a large part of people’s lives and gave nourishment for the people/livestock/agriculture. “This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water (Exodus 7: 17-18).” Imagine living as a regular person and seeing the Nile River turned into blood. This punishment by God did not weaken Pharaoh’s decision to let the Hebrews leave. “Pharaoh’s heart became hard (Exodus 7:22).”

The second plague happened 7 days after and God released Frogs throughout the land. “If you refuse to let them go, I will send a plague of frogs on your whole country. The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. The frogs will come up on you and your people and all your officials (Exodus 8:2-4).” To have this plague broken Pharaoh promised Moses that the Hebrews could go to offer sacrifices to the Lord. Once the plagues were removed, “he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses (Exodus 8:15).’’

        The third plague is of Gnats. We can see the power of God and the magicians of Egypt tried to replicate this act but could not. Again we see “But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen (Exodus 8:19).” The fourth plague is Flies. In this plague Moses tells Pharaoh that God has decided to only attack Egypt’s people with flies and no flies would attack his people. “But on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow (Exodus 8:22-23).” To break this plague Pharaoh allowed the Hebrew’s to journey to the wilderness to sacrifice to God. “But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go (Exodus 8:32).” Remember four plagues have occurred and still Pharaoh’s heart has not softened or relinquished his hold on the people. The people of Egypt were tortured because one man did not surrender to the power of God and believed his gods and faith were more powerful. His so called gods are no match for the one true living God.

        The fifth plague was on the Livestock. Again due to Pharaoh’s hardened heart, God killed all the Livestock (horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep and goat) of ONLY the Egyptians. The livestock of the Hebrews was not touched. Now the Egyptians have lost all livestock and I wonder how many lost belief in their idols and wanted Pharaoh to free God’s people. Water supply turned to blood, frogs/gnats and flies causing havoc to the country. “Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go (Exodus 9:7).”

        With the sixth plague Moses took soot and tossed it in the air and caused festering Boils and the magicians could not even stand in front of Moses due to the pain. If the insects weren’t enough to bother you now you have painful boils causing unmeasurable pain. Still Pharaoh’s heart would not listen to Moses. The one difference noted between the first five plagues and the sixth plague is that the Bible states “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12).” The previous five plagues it was the Pharaoh who hardened his own heart. We will discuss why God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and the purpose behind it.

        The seventh plague God tells through Moses that if Pharaoh does not let his people go he will send the “full force of plagues against you and against your officials and your people so you may know there is no one like me in all the earth. (Exodus 9:14).” He sent the worse hail storm that ever fell Egypt and again Israel was protected. Many Egyptians pretty much sheltered at home and saved the lives of their livestock and slaves by bringing them inside. “The Lord send thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground … it was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt (Exodus 9:23-24).” Finally, Pharaoh admitted he sinned and says the Lord is right. He agrees to let the people go until Moses prays and the hail stopped. He sinned again, “So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go (Exodus 9:35).”

        The eight plague God sent was locusts. Africa currently is having issues with Locusts and can destroy crops and damage an already unstable system. “They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in the fields. They will fill your houses and those of all your officials and all the Egyptians (Exodus 10:5-6).” The next few verses were the first time we see the officials of Pharaoh were murmuring against Pharaoh and how he can continue to let his people suffer. Pharaoh again asks for forgiveness and as soon as God removes the plague we see in this instance “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 10:20).”

        The ninth plague brought Darkness over the land of Egypt. Total darkness was over the land of Egypt for 3 days. It was so dark that you could not see your hand in front of your face. The Israelites continued to have light due to God’s protection. Pharaoh tried to bargain with Moses but he would not listen to God’s demands. “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was still not willing to let them go. Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.” “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again (Exodus 10:27-29).” We see again in plague number six, eight and nine God hardens Pharaoh’s heart.

        The tenth and finally plague was the death of every firstborn son in Egypt. It was the final plague due to the hardened heart of Pharaoh. “The Lord had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you-so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.” Moses and Aaron performed all these wonder before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country (Exodus 11:9-10).” God instructed Moses with the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread in Chapter 12. “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sing for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you (Exodus 12:12-13).” Finally, Pharaoh’s hardened heart was defeated and let the people of Israel leave Egypt and to go serve the one true God. If we continue to read all the way to Chapter 14, God was not done with Pharaoh. In Chapter 14, God tells Moses to encamp near Pi Hahiroth, to make it seem to Pharaoh that Israel was confused and stuck in the desert. “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord (Exodus 14:3-4).” We all know Pharaoh failed to harm the Israelites and Moses divided the Red Sea. The army of Egypt was destroyed and God’s people were free.

        What I want to focus on is why in the other plagues did God decide to harden Pharaoh’s heart. In Exodus 7:3-5 God tells Moses, I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it. Exodus 9:15-16 For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the face of the earth. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go. Exodus 10:1-2 Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.

        I know this story and watched the movie during Easter every year. I did not notice the hardening of the heart until I began reading more closely. A Pharaoh usually was not a godly man or innocent by any means. They are usually brutal dictators that enslave an entire nation and in the case of Israel over 400years. In Exodus 1:16 the Pharaoh decreed that all male Israelite babies be killed at birth. They worship idols and desecrate the name of the Living God. God had a purpose for a man like Pharaoh who probably at this time was the most powerful man on earth and some may consider them gods. In Romans 9:17-18 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I have raised you up for this very purpose that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore, God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden. God can steer evil towards his purpose and this does not mean he engineered it. Pharaoh is responsible for his own evil in his heart, just as Judas was when he betrayed Jesus. God wants to prove that there is no force of human evil that can resist God’s purpose to bring salvation and blessings to his loving children.

        During this Pandemic many people are like Pharaoh. He refused to change, was narcissistic and continued to become arrogant in his heart. He lacked any self-criticism and always believed he was right. He believed he was a god and that nothing can bring him down from his pedestal. He was self-destructive and because of this his people/first born of Egypt and his army died. He recognized God’s existence yet would not bow even till the end. He did not care for his people, the sick, the elderly or children. His economy/livestock and property was destroyed by God. He was defeated and yet could not accept defeat to the Most High. He was selfish and prideful. He put faith in his gods, magicians and only lied to himself thinking he was still in control. When human evil goes unchecked, bad things happen and good people can end up in the crossfire.

        Is God currently send this plague of COVID-19 and Locusts in Africa as a warning to his people? Is America the new Egypt? God had a purpose to his plagues and it was known that he was the one behind it. We currently do not know what God’s plan or purpose is as of yet. God is love, justice, mercy and salvation. He may be sending us a lesson to remind the people that he is still ever so much in control. If we continue to harden our hearts and go away from the Lord, we may be in for a very long Pandemic. God called Pharaoh to humble himself and acknowledge that God is his authority and that he can’t redefine good and evil on Egyptian terms. Do NOT harden your heart and Do NOT be like Pharaoh. Evil is sneaking into the heart of this country and is only going to create more strife. We are in a war for our souls since the day Jesus died for us on the cross. “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle, not against the flesh and blood, but again principalities, against powers, against rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6: 11-18).”

Conversation

Me: God, why is this Pandemic happening? Why are so many people dying?

God: Why do you think this Pandemic is happening?

Me:

Is it because we have chosen other Gods/Idols over you? Choosing to give importance, our time, love, praise to unworthy images such as reality television, celebrities and sports/athletes? Wasting our time and concentrating more on FB, Instagram, Tik Tok and other social media rather than worshipping and learning more about you everyday? Social media has become the new idol, and your worth is only based on how many likes and followers you have. We praise mortal men rather than the Father on High. Many have the lost the Fear of God. “To fear of the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and arrogance (Proverbs 8:13).”


Is it because we have taken the Lord God’s name in vain? Many pastors/followers use your name and preach about the Lord but live nothing like they should. There are many false prophets profiting from your name. The world has lost the ability to understand the Word of God. People use the name of the Lord to cover their sin and hide the truth. They praise the name of the Lord in front of the world, yet behind closed doors their life is nothing close to holy. Many speak false visions and false claims on behalf of God. We curse at your name and have pushed you to the bottom of our thoughts. We have taken you out of our lives and you are only a last resort to many when you should be the first. Heaven was lost when Adam and Eve sinned against God. Satan has been allowed to rule this world until the return of the King. “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him (Revelations 12:9). In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4).”


Is it because many of us have replaced the Lord’s Day by putting more importance on other worldly pleasures? We no longer take the time out of a busy week to give praise/worship to the Lord with our families. We rather go to sports games or other activities. In a world that gives us access to everything, we are more further away from the Lord, now more than ever. The world will survive without frivolous activities but we can not live without giving the Lord his overdue praise. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).”


Is it because we have taken our parents for granted? We have ignored their teachings and think we know better. They have suffered for us to help us obtain a better life for us and our future generations. We have turned our backs on them and focused more on careers and money. Placing them in nursing homes when we can no longer be bothered taking care of them. Only calling them on special occasions like Mother’s/Father’s Day even though they are waiting to hear from us every day. We seek guidance from people with less experience and some who may want us to fail. Our parents only want the best for us and will give advice to enrich our spirits. Many of times their advice may be against our foolish desires. Families are split and parents fight in front of their children. Children curse at their parents and forget we are only in this world for a short period. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).” We have gone away from disciplining our children and being corrupted by the world. More and more children growing up in Christian families are moving away from the Lord. We are not focusing our children at a young or directing them to God. As parents we must teach them from right and wrong. Do not let the world raise our children but God. It starts from the top/oldest of the family to the smallest to be an example to the world and raise our children as God fearing people.


Is it because we murder each other? Millions die each other through violence/wars/starvation. Selfishness and greed are the root of evil.  Many people justify killing others using God’s name for their own selfish purpose. In America the Ku Klux Klan still exists, people are waving the confederate flags in the air, people are protesting to get a haircut, use the gym or eat out not caring whether or not they are risking someone else’s life or family.  Even now in 2020 racism is still alive and breathing. Someone being shot while going out for a jog. Minorities are being killed and justice is delayed. The pandemic brings out many of the discrepancies we have in society. Imagine living in supposedly the greatest country in the world and in a few weeks we see how many people can barely live without 1 paycheck. How many school children and families are starving, while billion dollar companies throw out food rather than give it to help them. We all see the huge lines of people waiting to get food. People are dying because greed does not have the heart to care or help them. The pandemic kills more African Americans and Hispanics because they are much poorer than the rest of the country. They live in dense populations, many living with multiple family members in close quarters. They have less money, less education and less ability to get health care. The discrepancy has been around for over 20 years or more, the virus is just putting a light on it more. So much innocent life has been lost due to pride and greed. We must humble ourselves and know that we are not in control. We continue to think we can decide what happens in this world. We will never know Gods plan and our faith is the only thing we need to trust. Jesus overcame death and “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).”


Is it because we are not loyal to our commitments in marriage? Divorce rates are high and many marriages destroyed due to a cheating spouse. Or when finances become difficult the stress ruins their love and they can no longer be together. Children end up in the crossfire and the damage is sometimes permanent. We lost the focus on God to strengthen our marriages. We have gone away from the Bible as a man should marry a woman. The world has defiled your commandments. We have allowed Gay marriages and publicize it as if it is Biblically correct. Churches accept this in fear of losing believers. “That at the beginning the Creator made them man and female, and said for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh (Matthew 19:4-5).” We are stronger together as two people in faith. Leaning on each other and with God as the focus will make us blessed and able to withstand the storm.


Is it because large corporations steal from the poor and profit off the backs of hardworking people?We covet things that we do not need. We see billion dollar corporations being bailed out and trying to keep the money out of the ones who really need it. Not enough food or supplies in a country that sates they have the best economy. Greed and selfishness has the ones in power making poor decisions. The ones who suffer are the ones who barely make a living before all of this. Money can’t not be enjoyed if we are dead. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).” We covet fame and fortune and many would sacrifice their soul for it. We keep thinking the more money we have the happier we will be. But yet we see CEO’s who are miserable, addicted to drugs, on their 3rd spouse, celebrities unhappy with their huge mansion or body and commit suicide, athletes addicted to drugs/gambling and ruin their mind/bodies/careers, etc. They can have everything they want in life and yet they are unhappy. Money/Fame/Worldly pleasure can’t fill those empty voids. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” We can’t buy our way into heaven.


Is it because we lie to the world and ourselves? We hide our love for Christ and that we are followers in fear of persecution/ridicule. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).” Many do not live in a free country where they can praise God so freely. Our everyday should have God as a focus. We lie to ourselves and cover up the sin. We hide drug addictions, porn addictions, gambling addictions and lying to the world that we are good Christian soldiers. Our God sees and knows everything. He knows our heart. We need to stop lying and trust the Lord can deliver us from any pit of sin. The world needs to see us as who we truly are even if we have persecution. Jesus never lied even in the face of physical, emotional and spiritual torment. The truth is the one weapon the devil can’t defeat. That is why the devil uses lies to deceive us. No other religious figure has done anything that Jesus has done and yet to do. He conquered death and will free us from the evils of this world. “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).”


Even with thousands dying the world continues to turn away from God and think they are in control. There is some light and many people are renewing and strengthening their faith to God. The faithful continue to praise/worship your name and trying to spread your good news to all the nations. The world must repent and a better way must be achieved. If this is the end of times than I know why we deserve such a fate. We take your name and your love for granted, lie, cheat, covet, murder, dishonor our parents, worship other idols such as sports, celebrities/athletes, glorify money and give attention of worldly pleasures more than you Lord. In a matter of weeks, you have shown your power to shut down this world and there is nothing we can do about it. The only thing we have is the power of prayer and faith. We have had more time to focus on the real important things in life: God, Prayer, Family, Meditation, Love, Kindness etc. You have drowned out all the noise and have shined the light on you ONLY. We don’t know your plans or when this will be over. The phrase, “Live today like it’s your last day,” is more true NOW than ever. We will continue to praise your name and whatever your will is with our lives I know I will continue to glorify you. We must Fear the Lord and know he is all might and powerful. I know I will not be perfect and everything I have in my life has been a blessing by you. It is more than I deserve and because of your mercy and grace I am fortunate. The Blood of Jesus is our Savior/Protector. Thank you for your Love and Sacrifice for a sinner like me.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).” “If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues in this book and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city (Revelation 22:18-19).”


God: Amen