Exodus 11:10 “Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.”

HARDENED

Probably one of the most asked questions about the story of the plagues is “Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart?”  You have to understand that Pharaoh had already hardened his own heart.  In fact, in at least two of the plagues it says he did.

But long before this happened, he had hardened his heart against the Hebrew slaves.  This may have been the same Pharaoh (or at least the son) who had ordered the male babies to be killed.  This is the same Pharaoh who kept them as slaves.  His heart was hard.  God could have wiped Egypt off the face of  the earth to free His people.  Pharaoh actually was shown mercy.

TEACHING MOMENT

I bet your children think your discipline is too hard sometimes, right?  When you have to hand down consequences children can complain and whine.  Sometimes, when you discipline they get mad, but did you cause them to get mad.  No, you did what you had to do.  They chose to get mad, even though they deserved the discipline.

The next time this happens, read them this verse.  Explain that Pharaoh acted just like they are acting.  Now you are not going to send 10 plagues on them (lol), but you have to follow through on discipline.  You are trying to direct them to obey, not only you, but God.

Is your heart hard?  I read recently that the sign of a mature man is one who has moved from thin skin and hard heart to thick skin and soft heart. How about you?

Father, soften my heart.  Show me how to hear from You.  Give me the desire to follow You wherever You lead.