Hard Hearts

DAY 19
10-8-09
EXODUS 5-6-7


Good Morning!

The salvation of Israel begins. Pharaoh refuses to let the people go and punishes them with even more harsh labor and treatment. Of course, they responded normally as humans do – they complained; they doubted; and they accused. It’s not right, but it’s typical.

In these three chapters, the prominent feature is hard hearts. Usually the focus is on Pharaoh’s hard heart. However, Moses’ heart was hard and Israel’s was hard also. Pharaoh’s heart was hard because that was the kind of man he was. God used his disposition against him. He wasn’t a soft-hearted man made hard by God. He was already hard hearted, and God used it for his plan and glory.

Israel’s heart was hard and it showed in their doubt; lack of faith; and impatience. They said to Moses, "May the Lord judge and punish you for making us stink before Pharaoh and his officials. You have put a sword into their hands, an excuse to kill us!"

Moses’ was hard. He wanted to quit because his task was too difficult. He complained to God, "Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!"

Hard hearts are the refusal to listen, obey, submit, or give glory to God. When we don’t get our way, or have to endure hardship, we can stubbornly refuse to let God work it out, or even blame him for our struggles. A soft heart will say what Mary said when her world was turned upside down by an unexpected pregnancy – “May it be to me as you have said.”

Hard heart or soft, God will still work his plan. A soft, submissive, and loving heart, though, makes life more bearable. Hard hearts make it worse. You choose!

Barry

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. (Heb 10:22)