Pharaoh’s heart hardened

Exodus 7:22 | In the first plague, the Lord turned water into blood. The Pharaoh, wanting to test the power of the Lord, calls his magicians, and they also do the same. This led the Pharaoh’s heart to grow hard, and he does not give in to the request to let the people of Israel go free.

Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had said. – Exodus 7:22

The Lord had already spoken to Moses that the Pharaoh will not heed to the signs and wonders, and that the Lord will show ten plagues before Israel comes out of Egypt. These plagues will slowly increase in severity, showing the people of Egypt the power of God, so that they may come to the saving grace, and be saved out of Egypt.

“But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. “So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst, and after that he will let you go – Exodus 3:19-20.

Can anyone stand against God?

Let us take a step back, and understand what is going on, the Lord commanded Aaron to stretch out his hand over the rivers of Egypt, and the Lord turned all water into blood. Including the water stored in pots. Because of this, Egypt will not have any water to drink.

If the Pharaoh wants to contend against God, what should he have done? He should have asked the magicians to turn the blood back into water. But that thought never even passed his mind, nor in the mind of the magicians.

What did the magicians do? They turned water into blood. The exact same thing which Aaron did, many a times, when we read this we are confused and assume that the magicians had the same power as God, and that they were able to successfully stand against God. Can man contend against God?  

For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” – Isaiah 14:27

God’s Will for His Kingdom and God’s Will for you.

But let us consider this, what is the will of God in this situation? The will of God is to turn water into blood. What did the magicians do? They also converted water into blood. They did not even consider working against the will of God. Though their intention was evil, they just did exactly what the Lord intended to do. We will read this principle all through the Scripture, that evil cannot work against the will of God, but only within the will of God.

But unfortunately, when we see rampant evil, when we are enticed by the lust of our flesh, we the people, will end up walking against the will of God. God’s will for His kingdom will always come to pass. But God’s will in your life may not come to pass if you rebel, not understanding His will for your life. Scripture is clear on God’s will for your life, and we can never achieve this without submitting and humbling ourselves before God. But remember, God’s will for His Kingdom, will come to pass with, or without us submitting to His will.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Can anyone stand against God?

Pharaoh, and his magicians, did not have the knowledge to realize this, and they hardened their hearts to walk away from God. One of the purpose of all the plagues is to show Egypt that He is the Only God, giving opportunity to every Egyptian to walk out of Egypt, and join the camp of Hebrews. But Pharaoh chose otherwise.

Scripture will tell us, that indeed there were Egyptians who realized that the Lord Himself is the Only God, and joined the Hebrew camp. Exodus 12:38 tells us that a great mixed multitude of people walked out with the Hebrews. But Pharaoh did not walk out, for he had hardened his heart missing out on the will of God.

A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds- a great deal of livestock. – Exodus 12:38

Humble yourself before God

Pharaoh missed out on the will of God because he did not humble himself when he saw the work of God. Scripture reminds us, time and again, to humble ourselves before God, so that His will can be worked out in our life.

Let not our logic lead us but let us be led by the Spirit of God, with a clear understanding that nothing can stand against God. We do not have to fear anything, or anyone, but God. He will do what He has purposed in His heart.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time – 1 Peter 5:6

Creation shows that He is God

The world has chosen to turn its back against God, Scripture teaches us that no man has any excuse that he does not know God. Egyptians cannot be excused that they did not know God, for they saw the power of God demonstrated clearly throughout Egypt through the ten plagues. Everyone was witness to it. And by this, everyone received a choice to either receive God, or continue to live in rebellion.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, – Romans 1:20

Likewise, today, there are enough signs and wonders, for the non-believing world to know that there is indeed a God. Scripture teaches us that creation by itself is a witness to the power, and glory of God. But just like the Pharaoh, the world assumes that science has explained it all, that they do not need God, not understanding that they are choosing the wrath of God, just like the Egyptians who decided to stay back and not go with the Israelite’s.

Today is the day of Salvation

One day, God will pull back His grace, and that will be the end of it all. That is why God reminds us that today, is the day of salvation. If God has spoken to you, do not harden your heart like the Pharaoh did. Submit yourself to God, that you may live within His mighty hand. For no one can stand against God.  

For He says: “in an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation – 2 Corinthians 6:2

LORD have mercy.

Noel Kingsley