Life Lessons with Dr. Steve Schell
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
This passage raises a subject which has been debated for centuries. Does the statement that God “hardened” Pharaoh’s heart mean He actually prevents some people from repenting and being saved. Throughout the next five chapters there are repeated references to hardening Pharaoh’s heart along with statements to the effect that Pharaoh then refused to submit to God’s demand to release the Hebrew slaves. Taken from one perspective, God appears to be playing a cruel game with Pharaoh. While ordering him to release the Israelites and performing stunning miracles powerful enough to convince any normal person that God was real and meant what He said, at the same time God miraculously prevented Pharaoh from changing his mind. This view makes Pharaoh a tragic figure in a great cosmic play. He’s being given commands and then prevented from obeying them with the result that his entire nation is forced to endure a series of devastating plagues. Those who assume this is what is taking place recognize it puts God’s character in a bad light: it makes Him look cruel and arbitrary. His demands to Pharaoh are insincere because the man is not permitted to say “yes.” But they justify this understanding by turning to Paul’s statement in Romans 9 which again seem to support them, and there the question is asked, “…Who are you O man, who answers back to God?” Paul goes on to argue that since God is the one who makes humans, He can use them anyway He wants to (Ro 9:19–23). Some feel this should silence any complaints about fairness. After all, He’s God and can do what He wants to. Today we’ll take a fresh look at the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart because the very character of God is at stake. Is God loving and just, desiring to save every person He can? Or are there some, like Pharaoh, whose hearts He hardens?
87 - Recognizing God
86 - The Spirit of Truth
85 - Maintaining a Loving Heart
84 - Equipping Disciples
83 - Staying Attached
82 - Created for Authority
81 - The Greatest Reward
80 - I’m Coming Back
79 - The New Covenant
78 - What Jesus Saw
77 - The Greatest Miracle
76 - Escaping Betrayal
75 - The Secret To Happiness
74 - Dusty Feet
73 - Washing Feet
72 - Christ’s Victory
71 - Unchangeable Truth
70 - Dealing With Danger
69 - A Grain of Wheat
68 - Priorities
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)