Hey Andy, the Bible says that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh, yet he was also condemned. But if God hardened his heart, then why is he still to be blamed, since his disobedience and unyielding was not his doing, but that of God?
Hi, wow, great question about Pharaoh! Granted, I have been asked this before, but that just shows that it still has yet to be answered, or that people still wonder it (and/or use it to judge God). I was actually reading something about this the other day in Romans 9. The question the Apostle Paul answered was based on Exodus 9:16: “God told Pharaoh, ‘I’ve appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you, and so that my fame might spread throughout the earth.'”
Paul’s Response about Pharaoh
Now, the question raised in the time of Paul was, “Does God blame (or condemn) people for not listening? Haven’t they simply done what God made them do?” (For the scriptures say that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t believe in Him). I think it’s a good question, too, for if the only reason you’re evil is because God made you so in order that He may be glorified, then why should you still have to go to Hell? Why not Heaven, since you were used for His purpose and because your actions were not your own? If you look at Romans 9, you’ll see how Paul answered it: “Who are you to question God’s intentions?”
Now, first of all, I can understand Paul’s response, for in the context of the chapter (and also the context in which it’s often asked today), when such a question is asked, it is most often not by people freaking out because of their lack of hope, but by people who are either trying to stump the Christian, get away with sinning themselves, or judge God for what they think is unfair judgment on His part.
Jesus’ Response to Simon Peter
If you’ll remember what Jesus told Simon (Peter) when asked what will happen to John (paraphrased): “What’s it to you what happens to him? YOU follow me.” In other words, instead of trying to figure out what happens to others (in the past, future, or present) after this life, it’s important to make sure that your own ‘house is in order’.
However, on that note, I would also like to add to Paul’s response.
My Response
According to historical sources, God allowed Pharaoh to live. The scriptures say that pharaoh’s army was killed in the flooding of the sea, but never mentioned Pharaoh entering into the sea himself. So if he lived, then that means that he had to return to Egypt with nothing, and a failure.
So God used Pharaoh to show Himself to the world — even to Pharaoh! Often times, before we accept Christ, we need to hit rock bottom. After his complete army was destroyed, pharaoh had to return to Egypt with nothing, for Exodus 14:9 says that all the forces in Pharaoh’s army were used in the chase (not just the best ones). Pharaoh, the one whom Egypt had hailed and worshiped as a god, was now defeated by the God of his slaves – no doubt Pharaoh was humbled.
Now, Pharaoh had seen all the miracles God did through Moses, plus the killings of every first-born son in Egypt, then his best-quality chariots falling apart as they pursued the Israelites, and the event of the sea. And not a single soldier survived! It was obvious to Pharaoh who God is, and that he himself is not. And if he is not god, then who is he? Talk about rock bottom!
So What Happened to Pharaoh?
So, we don’t know what happened afterwards. I mean, historical research and archaeological discoveries have shown us that such an event had happened, but what happened to Pharaoh’s spiritual life? Did he one day cry out to God? Did he renounce the gods of Egypt? How did Egypt treat him, a loser to slaves?
For all we know, he and Moses may be hanging out together in Heaven as we speak…or, they may not be. The point is, we don’t know, nobody in this physical life does, and we won’t until we’re hanging out with Moses, (also?) in the full presence of God.
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