Exodus 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
A Hard Heart Equals a Hard Life
{"file":"/FirstLight1-14-15.mp3","place":"user:19"}
When I was growing up here on the Ranch, my mom always had a summer garden. Now, Mom did all the planting, but her children did most of the cultivating. For 15 minutes every morning we would weed the garden, which in Middle Tennessee means pulling out rocks. I was always amazed how I could spend 15 minutes pulling out rocks one day and the next day there would be rocks all over again! Now, no one in their right mind cultivates rocks for a garden when trying to grow something edible. Yet there is something even harder than rocks that many of us are cultivating today, and that is a hard heart.
Pharaoh is an example of a person who had a hard heart. God began to judge Pharaoh because of his rebellion. In Exodus 8:15 it says, “But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite [relief from the plagues], he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them.” A hard heart often manifests itself in a person who refuses to hear. It is important for us to know that a person who cultivates a hard heart will reap a hard life full of needless pain and hardship.
What did Pharaoh cultivate that culminated in a hardness of heart? First of all, he cultivated pride. In Exodus 5:2, Pharaoh says, “Who is the Lord?” When I refuse to acknowledge God, I am going to be unable to know Who He is and understand life. Pride is the native sin in each of us, and brings about much misery in our lives.
Pharaoh was also guilty of procrastination. When Moses asked Pharaoh when he would like the plagues to end, Pharaoh famously said, “Tomorrow.” If I decide when and how I obey, I am not obeying.
Finally, Pharaoh tried to limit the way in which Moses and the children of Israel would obey God. He said, “Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.” Moses’ reply to Pharaoh was that they would go three days journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to God as He had commanded them. Pharaoh thought he could draw up the terms of surrender.
You negotiate with someone you feel to be your equal. Pharaoh treated God as if they were equals. God doesn’t want us to negotiate, procrastinate, or act in pride. God wants us to hear His voice, obey His commands, and reap the life of peace that comes.