GenemZ
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- Mar 1, 2004
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And? That does not mean it was God's will that Satan fall. It only means that when God presents the time to make a choice, it can not be ignored (resisted). And, God knowing how we will react, because God knows what we WANT to choose... can predict the outcome when he wants to.
In other words? God could have left Pharaoh alone. He would have remained in status quo..
Or, God could have confronted Pharaoh's belligerent arrogance, with something that God just knew Pharaoh would dig his heels in with. That is why God said he would harden Pharaoh's heart. For he knew the arrogance of Pharaoh's heart towards Him.
It would be like saying I will make that skunk stink up the neighborhood.
I then proceed to throw stones in the direction of the skunk. Another skunk would have run away. But, not this one. For it has a bad temper.
Now? I did not grab the skunk and squeeze it out of him?
No! .. But, I caused it to stink things up.
How? .. By knowing its heart.
Nor, did God reach in and harden Pharaoh's heart without Pharaoh choosing to resist God. God simply knew how Pharaoh would resist God's will when confronted. God made him make a choice. Pharoah could not resist making a choice.
He resisted God's will to do the right thing, but could not resist God's will for him to make a choice. Its was God's will that Pharaoh choose. He could not resist God's will to do so. Pharaoh chose to not do the right thing. But, God had his way with Pharaoh.
Now... God did not have to confront Pharaoh! He did not have to harden his heart to have the Jews released.
God could have simply struck him dead and have Moses take over the throne. But? God chose to harden his heart instead. So the the name of the God of Moses could spread throughout the world.
Pharaoh's hardening was by choice. God simply knew how he would choose if confronted in a certain way. God's will was that Pharaoh make a choice. Pharaoh could not resist God's will to do so.
Hardening one's heart is by choice!
Psalm 95:8 (New International Version)
"do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah,
as you did that day at Massah in the desert."
Pharaoh chose to harden his own heart! God simply knew what was needed to get him to do so.
Exodus 8:32 (New International Version)
"But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go."
Exodus 9:34 (New International Version)
"When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts."
The very fact in the way Pharaoh hardened his heart reveals that God would have been justified in killing off Pharaoh and have Moses take over. But? Instead? God chose to harden Pharaoh's heart, and later have him killed off.
Why? For God's glory be known throughout the land! That the world will get a taste of the God of the Jews! Everyone knew about the God of the Jews after Pharaoh hardened his heart. If the other route was taken? Moses became King after Pharaoh died? In something like a hunting accident? Where would God receive glory from all in the lands? Most would have not known that God's hand was behind it if Pharaoh's heart was not hardened.
In Christ, GeneZ
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