The Hardened Heart

What Does It Mean to Harden a Heart?

The Bible frequently alludes to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, particularly during Moses' repeated appeals to release the Israelites. The passage in Exodus 4:21 explicitly states, “But "I" will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go”. To many, this appears as though the God of Israel directly intervened to ensure Pharaoh resisted liberation efforts. However, given the intrinsic goodness of the Father who embodies righteousness, such actions demand deeper scrutiny.

An alternative perspective suggests that the “I” in this passage does not refer to the Father, but rather to another supernatural force at work. A message hidden deep within scripture. What power or spiritual influence led to Pharaoh’s stubbornness? The broader narrative of the Bible introduces the concept of the spirit of sin, a dominating force that fuels opposition to The Father's purposes. This idea is exemplified in Exodus 9:34, which states that Pharaoh “sinned yet again and hardened his heart.” This implies that prior to this moment, Pharaoh’s heart had already been hardened by the pervasive influence of sin.

The reference to “I” in such scriptures was meant for us to recognize an opposing force, veiled also as a divine directive. 2 Corinthians 4:4 identifies Satan as the "god of this world," demonstrating that not all spiritual forces align with The Father.

The God of Sin and the Viper

Who Is the Viper?

The viper, a term repeatedly invoked by Jesus during His ministry, symbolizes a spirit of rebellion and deception. Jesus openly called out religious leaders as a "brood of vipers" (Matthew 12:34), effectively denouncing their alignment with corrupt, destructive spiritual forces. These entities blind individuals to truth (2 Corinthians 4:4). Interestingly, Jesus refers to the Viper as a father, suggesting that these men are its offspring. This implies a sinister, secondary father figure—one associated with deception and opposition to God, the Father of the Israelites in Moses' story.

2 Corinthians 4:4 in which [the] god of this world, that is, the devil, hath blinded the souls of unfaithful men, that the lightening of the gospel of the glory of Christ, which is the image of God, shine not.

Pharaoh's defiance reveals his alignment with opposing spiritual forces. For instance, during the early plagues (Exodus 7), his magicians replicated wonders similar to the divine miracles performed by Moses. When Aaron’s rod transformed into a serpent, Pharaoh’s magicians mimicked the act, though in the end, Aaron’s serpent devoured theirs. This moment underscores the supremacy of God’s power while also acknowledging the existence of deceptive spiritual forces and rival gods that oppose the Father.

Exodus 7:10-11 And so Moses and Aaron entered to Pharaoh, and did as the Lord commanded; and Aaron took the rod, and cast forth it before Pharaoh and his servants, the which rod was turned into a serpent. Forsooth Pharaoh called forth wise men, and witches, and they also did by enchantments of Egypt, and by some privy things, in like manner; and all casted forth their rods, which were turned into dragons; but the rod of Aaron devoured their rods.

The Connection to the Man of Sin

The Bible describes the “Man of Sin” (2 Thessalonians 2) as a rebellious spiritual force at work in the world. Sin is depicted as more than mere wrongdoing or moral failure—it is a governing power that rules over those who reject the divine truth of the God of Israel (Romans 6). This influence functions as a secondary, opposing God. The hardened heart of Pharaoh can be understood as an example of this sin-aligned spirit.

Romans 6:12-14 Therefore reign not sin in your deadly body, that ye obey to his covetings. Neither give ye your members arms of wickedness to sin, but give ye yourselves to God, as they that live of dead men, and your members arms of rightwiseness to God. For sin shall not have lordship over you; for ye be not under the law, but under grace.

His devotion to a rebellious god profoundly influenced his choices, even when confronted with direct divine intervention. Hosea 12:7-9 points to a false god rooted in corruption and deceit. This false deity is tied to idolatry and moral decay within Ephraim. The passage declares, “And Ephraim said, Nevertheless I am made rich, I have found an idol to me... And I am thy Lord God "from" the land of Egypt.” This underscores the presence of a rebellious force—originating from Egypt—that embodies sin and draws both hearts and nations away from the truth of God.

Distinguishing the True Father

A key takeaway from this narrative is the need to distinguish between the true Father and the False God, associated with sin and deception. The phrase “I will harden his heart” takes on a deeper meaning when examined through the lens of the Hebrew word "Elohim," ^H430 which Strong’s Concordance defines as a plural form of "god." ^H430 This interpretation reframes the Pharaoh narrative as a spiritual confrontation, rather than a singular, direct act by the Father.

The word "Elohim" ^H430 highlights the presence of multiple spiritual beings within the divine realm. Throughout the Bible, we are consistently warned against worshiping other gods or deities unfamiliar to us. It is evident that God the Father is not solitary in the spiritual domain or authority; another one exists as well. This is Satan, often depicted as the personification of sin—a deceiver, a serpent, and the adversary. He is even referred to as the god of Egypt, who would be Pharaohs God.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God ^H430 created the heaven and the earth.

Signs and Wonders on Both Sides

The Power of Pharaoh’s Magicians

The magicians of Pharaoh’s court consistently mimicked the miraculous signs performed by Moses. They transformed staffs into serpents, replicated the initial plagues, and showcased remarkable skill in their craft—until the power of the God of Israel ultimately outmatched their abilities. It’s important to acknowledge that their feats were also rooted in allegiance to supernatural forces.

Reflect on how these magicians relied on signs and wonders while operating outside the will of the Father. This same type of spiritual deception continues today, emphasizing the need to discern the true origins of miracles. Hidden within our world are other divine forces at work, and my purpose is to help you recognize them.

The Spirit of Deception in Action

Romans 7 depicts sin as an active presence, "dwelling within" individuals to influence decisions. As Romans 7:17-20 states, "So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me."

This extends to Pharaoh and his court. Scripture explicitly ties Pharaoh’s resistance to his sinful nature. The hardening of his heart magnifies sin’s ability to blind and govern while demonstrating its broader implications.

Reinterpretation of Common Narratives

One must ask: was Pharaoh intentionally portrayed to illustrate the concept of spiritual duality? The narrative in Exodus seems to delve deeper, highlighting the contrast between the true Father and the opposing False God.

Pharaoh's paradoxical role in the story serves as a profound lens through which we can examine modern struggles. These challenges may include addiction, self-righteousness, judgment, stubbornness, or indifference to the suffering of others. Blinded by sin, Pharaoh embodies a man consumed by the grip of the "man of sin," said to be revealed in the falling away described in 2 Thessalonians 2. This narrative invites us to reflect on the destructive power of sin and its hold on the human heart.

Lessons from Pharaoh's Narrative

The story of Pharaoh offers profound insights into human nature, the dynamics of spiritual warfare, and the sovereignty of the divine forces that shape our world. It serves as a cautionary tale against pride and hardened hearts, reminding us of our need for humility and repentance.

Pharaoh’s Legacy as a Mirror for Reflection

Narratives of the hardened heart reveal the dangerous draw of sin and forces that oppose divine truth. This exploration calls readers to align themselves with the Father’s power and reject counterfeit influences designed to deceive, distract, and ultimately destroy.

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