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"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." - Romans 9:15-18
"And He hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them, as The Lord had said. And The Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go." - Exodus 7:13-14
Romans 9:15-18 has been a most difficult passage to grasp hold of. This passage has been cited throughout church history to support the belief that "free will" does not exist in a sinful man. It has led to confusion in the minds and hearts of Christians concerning the Mercy and Grace of God being extended to all individuals.
Let me share my observations and personal conclusions on this passage; and then I only ask you prayerfully consider them.
What is "Hard Hearted"? Webster's English Dictionary defines it as "lacking in sympathetic understanding; unfeeling; harsh and cruel; an unfeeling brute". Sadly, we probably know some people like that and we can certainly describe Pharaoh that way. However, the Hebrew words used in Exodus 7:13-14 have a different meaning; and they are actually two different words translated "hardened". The first is 'chazaq', "and he hardened Pharaoh's heart..." It means 'to make strong and firm; resolute'. It also means 'encourage' and is translated as such in Deuteronomy 3:28, "But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see."
The second Hebrew word is 'kabed', "...Pharaoh's heart is hardened..." It means 'heavy, great, grievous'. A great weight of heaviness and grief was on Pharaoh's heart. No where do these two Hebrew words contain the concept of one's heart being closed as to course of action. Pharaoh always had a choice, even when his heart was hardened. Our English concept of 'hard-hearted' does not apply here in this specific passage of Exodus 7:13-14.
However, we do note the word "hardeneth" used in Romans 9:18. It is the Greek word 'sklaruno', and means 'to make hard, harden; of men: harsh, stern, hard'. This actually seems to be more in line with our English concept of 'hard-hearted'. How do we reconcile the Hebrew concept with the Greek?
One thing I have learned when studying the writings of The Apostle Paul is; especially when he uses The Old Testament to reveal a truth...never assume anything. We assume that Paul is talking of Pharaoh when he says in Romans 9:18, "...whom he will he hardeneth." I submit that Paul is using a rhetorical twist and 'about face', turning the whole concept back on Israel. I submit that "whom he will he hardeneth" is not referring to Pharaoh at all, but is referring to the nation of Israel. If I am right, this passage then stays in harmony with the point The Apostle Paul makes throughout the entire book of Romans...that the hardening of Israel's heart and their blindness to the Messiah, Christ Jesus, gave way to the opening up of the Mercy, Grace, and Promises of God to the Gentiles...to all who are of faith, Jew or Gentile! This is the theme of Romans and especially chapters 9 through 11. Context is everything when considering Romans 9:15-18.
To the consternation of the Jews; who trusted in being the descendants of Abraham and the law to obtain right standing with God, Paul uses Pharaoh (one whom the Jews hated) as an example of God's extended mercy; a Gentile whom God gave ample opportunity to obey. Consider the description of Pharaoh from The Word of God, "...Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." - Romans 9:17. If I didn't know better, this would be an exact description of Israel, or even The Church! A Jewish person reading that passage is probably crying, 'No! No! No! That's supposed to be me, not a Gentile!'
Now compare this with how Paul describes Israel throughout Romans:
"Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." - Romans 2:23-24
"But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. - Romans 9:31-33
"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." - Romans 10:2-3
"But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." - Romans 10:21
"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." - Romans 11:7-11
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in." - Romans 11:25
In light of the theme of Romans; righteousness by faith not works of the law, I am convinced that Romans 9:15-18 need not be difficult at all. I am convinced it shows a mercy even to Pharaoh that no Jew would ever expect; and a hardening of Israel's heart that would give hope to all. Yes, Pharaoh chose to reject that extended mercy. But that need not be our choice. This passage expresses and stays in perfect harmony with God's Mercy to all and upon all. God loves you, there are scars to prove it. Jesus died on the cross for you, that by faith in Him you might obtain right standing with God and be His child, whether Jew or Gentile.
Be Blessed in Bunches! :)
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