When the Heart Grows Hard: Pharaoh, Judas, and Us

 

“When the Heart Grows Hard: Pharaoh, Judas, and Us”

Text: Exodus 7–11; Matthew 26:14–16; Acts 7:51

Introduction

There’s a frightening reality found in the story of Exodus that we dare not ignore: a man can see the hand of God at work—again and again—and still say No. He can be surrounded by light and still choose darkness. He can be offered life and still prefer death. Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, was given chance after chance to make the obvious, reasonable, and righteous decision: Let God’s people go. But he didn’t. He hardened his heart. And in doing so, he offers us a sobering picture of how self-deception and sin can destroy a soul.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

The Bible repeats it like a drumbeat: Pharaoh hardened his heart.
In Exodus 7:13, “Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen.” Sometimes it says he hardened his heart (Exodus 8:15), other times that God hardened it (Exodus 9:12). These are not contradictions—they are complementary. God confirmed the direction Pharaoh had already chosen. Pharaoh chose to resist, and God allowed him to be strengthened in that resistance.

Think of it like clay and wax under the sun. The same sun melts wax but hardens clay. The difference lies not in the sun, but in the substance.

Pharaoh saw miracles—frogs, hail, blood, darkness, and death. He even admitted his sin (Exodus 9:27), but he never truly repented. Why? Because he had already committed to a path of pride and power. He didn’t want to lose face. His throne meant more than truth. He became, as Scripture says, “stiff-necked” (Acts 7:51)—a heart so proud that it couldn’t bow even before the living God.

How Does This Happen? How Can a Person Be So Self-Deceived?

Pharaoh’s downfall wasn’t sudden. It was gradual. And that’s the danger. Sin doesn’t often leap—it creeps. Pharaoh's heart didn’t harden overnight. Each refusal, each moment of resistance, each lie he told himself added another layer of spiritual callousness. By the end, he couldn’t even hear reason anymore. He was enslaved to his own will.

This is exactly what Hebrews 3:13 warns against:
"But exhort one another daily... lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

Sin deceives. It convinces us we’re okay, even when we’re walking toward disaster. It rationalizes rebellion. It justifies jealousy, pride, bitterness, lust, or greed. And if we allow it, it slowly hardens our sensitivity to God. We stop listening. We ignore warnings. We resist conviction. We tell ourselves, “Later.” But the more we delay, the more numb we become.

The Tragedy of Judas: Another Hardened Heart

Pharaoh isn’t the only one in Scripture who walked the road of spiritual self-destruction.

Judas Iscariot walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, saw His miracles. Yet when the moment came, he sold his Savior for silver (Matthew 26:14–16). He had every reason to choose the right path. But somewhere along the way, he let bitterness and greed grow. He probably told himself, “It’s just a deal. Jesus will get out of it like He always does.” But sin had already blinded him.

And when the scales finally fell from his eyes, it was too late. His regret was deep, but his repentance was missing (Matthew 27:3–5). Like Pharaoh, Judas saw the truth after it crushed him.

Warnings for Us Today

The stories of Pharaoh and Judas aren’t just ancient history. They are mirrors for us.

How many of us have felt the tug of God’s Spirit—urging us to change, to forgive, to surrender, to let go of that sin—but we resist?

Every time we ignore God’s voice, our hearts risk growing colder. We might still attend church, sing the songs, serve in ministry—but inside, something is dying. We become like Pharaoh: religious on the outside, but rebellious within.

God does not harden hearts arbitrarily. But if we continually shut Him out, He may let us walk the path we've chosen. Romans 1:28 speaks of those who “did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God,” so He “gave them over to a depraved mind.” It’s one of the scariest realities in Scripture.

The Good News: God Can Still Soften a Hardened Heart

But here’s the hope: no heart is beyond the reach of grace—if it will yield.
Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

God is still in the business of heart surgery. But we must want it. We must humble ourselves before we’re humbled by judgment.

How About Us?

Pharaoh had every chance. Judas walked with Jesus Himself. And yet both made disastrous choices, even when the truth was clear.

The warning is for us: Don’t play with sin. Don’t ignore the Spirit. Don’t think you have forever.

If the Lord is speaking to you, respond today. As Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Because the only thing more tragic than a hardened heart… is a heart that stayed that way.

Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues

Pharaoh in Exodus: When the Heart Refuses to Yield

 

“When the Heart Refuses to Yield”

Text: Exodus 9:13–10:29

Introduction

Stubbornness is something we all struggle with. It may show up in our relationships, in how we handle correction, or even in our response to God. Pharaoh’s resistance in Exodus is the ultimate picture of a hardened heart. Through nine devastating plagues, God demonstrated His supreme power—not just over Pharaoh, but over Egypt’s gods as well. Yet Pharaoh still refused to yield.

What can we learn from this? Let’s walk through Exodus 9:13 to 10:29, and consider:

• How successful were the plagues in changing Pharaoh?

• What false gods were defeated?

• And how should we guard our own hearts today?

God’s Warning and Ultimate Claim (Exodus 9:13–21)

God tells Moses to go early to Pharaoh and say, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” But this time, God adds something more intense:

“For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:14)

God is not simply trying to free Israel—He is revealing Himself to Egypt. He is confronting the false gods and the arrogance of Pharaoh head-on.

Pharaoh is told that if he does not obey, a hailstorm like none before will fall on Egypt. God even warns the Egyptians to bring in their livestock and servants. Some do listen—perhaps some hearts are starting to soften.

The Plague of Hail: Judgment on the Sky Gods (Exodus 9:22–35)

The hailstorm comes with fire flashing in the sky, destroying everything not sheltered. This is a direct blow to gods like:

• Nut, goddess of the sky

• Shu, god of air and wind

• Isis, goddess of life and protection

• Seth, god of storms and disorder

Even more directly, this plague challenges Pharaoh himself, who was considered divine, with power over nature. But Pharaoh is powerless here.

Moment of Hope?
Pharaoh says, “This time I have sinned... The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.” (9:27)
It sounds promising—but as soon as the hail stops, Pharaoh hardens his heart again.

The Plague of Locusts: Devouring Egypt’s Hopes (Exodus 10:1–20)

God sends Moses back, telling him that He is using Pharaoh’s stubbornness to display His power for generations to come. The locusts swarm in, devouring what the hail left behind. This attack devastates Egypt’s food supply.

This challenges gods like:

• Osiris, god of agriculture and the underworld

• Neper, god of grain

• Anubis, god of the fields and protector of crops

Pharaoh’s officials are now pleading: “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go!”
Pharaoh finally agrees—to a point—but when Moses insists that all the people go (men, women, children), Pharaoh snaps again and drives them out.

The Plague of Darkness: Defeating Ra Himself (Exodus 10:21–29)

The ninth plague brings thick darkness for three days. No one can see or move—except in the homes of the Israelites.

This is a direct assault on the greatest god of all—Ra, the sun god, considered the father of Pharaoh and the source of all life.
Also defeated are:

• Horus, god of the rising sun

• Thoth, god of wisdom, linked with the moon and order

This is not just about the absence of light. It’s about the collapse of Egypt’s entire belief system. Pharaoh’s god—Ra—has failed him. Yet still, he does not relent.

He tries again to negotiate: “Go, serve the LORD... only leave your flocks and herds.”
Moses replies, “Not a hoof shall be left behind.”
Pharaoh explodes in anger: “Get away from me! Take care never to see my face again!”
Moses responds, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

So, Did the Plagues Work?

In terms of external pressure—yes, the plagues brought Egypt to its knees. Crops were gone, livestock dead, the sky dark, people terrified. Egypt’s gods were silenced. Pharaoh’s pride was exposed.

But in terms of internal transformation—no. Pharaoh's repentance was shallow, conditional, temporary. He was sorry for the pain, but not for the rebellion. He wanted relief, not relationship.

Lessons for Us Today

God Is Supreme—There Is No Rival

Just as He defeated the gods of Egypt, God shows that He alone is Creator, Sustainer, and Lord. No philosophy, no nation, no idol—whether money, status, or self—can stand against Him.

A Hardened Heart Grows Harder with Time

Every time Pharaoh said “No” to God, his heart calcified further. When we resist God’s Word, we are not neutral—we are training our hearts to reject Him more deeply.

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15)

External Pressure Can’t Produce Lasting Change

Pharaoh changed his mind out of fear, not faith. True repentance is not just saying sorry—it’s surrendering to God. Without that, even miracles won’t change a person.

What About Your Heart?

God’s power was undeniable. But Pharaoh’s pride was unyielding. As we stand before the same God today, we must ask:

• Are we resisting Him in some area?

• Are we more concerned with relief than obedience?

• Will we humble ourselves now—or wait for circumstances to break us?

Let us not be like Pharaoh, waiting until it's too late to respond. Let us be like those who, even in Egypt, saw the signs and listened—who found life by trusting the one true God.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6)

Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues

Freedom to Reject, Mercy to Warn

 

"Freedom to Reject, Mercy to Warn"

Text: Exodus 8:20–9:12

We stand in awe of the mighty works of God—His wonders in the heavens, His miracles on earth, and His supreme authority over all creation. Yet, Exodus 8:20–9:12 shows us a sobering reality: even in the face of overwhelming divine power, human hearts can remain stubborn, hardened, and defiant. In these passages, God sends plague after plague, each one revealing not only His power but also His mercy, warning Pharaoh and Egypt again and again. But Pharaoh chooses to reject God.

Today, we’ll explore this truth: however great may be the manifestations of God's glory, humanity still has the freedom to reject Him. We'll see how this applies to us today—and why we must guard our hearts from pride and hardness.

The Plagues: God's Power Unleashed

Exodus 8:20–9:12 covers the fourth through sixth plagues:

• Plague of Flies (8:20–32): A swarm of flies fills the Egyptian homes and land, except in Goshen, where God's people live—God shows His ability to distinguish between His people and the world.

• Plague on Livestock (9:1–7): A deadly pestilence wipes out Egypt’s livestock, again sparing the animals of Israel.

• Plague of Boils (9:8–12): Painful boils break out on both humans and animals. Even the Egyptian magicians cannot stand before Moses.

These judgments are not random—they are deliberate attacks on Egypt’s gods:

• Uatchit, goddess of the fly—rendered powerless by Yahweh's plague.

• Hathor, goddess of love and protector of cattle—unable to stop the pestilence.

• Imhotep, god of medicine—powerless to heal or protect the people.

• Even the magicians, seen as intermediaries of divine power, were brought low by the boils.

Each plague dismantles Egypt’s false religion and shows Yahweh as the one true God. Yet despite all this, Pharaoh hardens his heart.

Free Will in the Face of God's Glory

This story shows us a profound and often painful truth: God does not force obedience.

God showed Pharaoh His power, His justice, and His ability to protect His people—but Pharaoh still had the freedom to say "No." He saw miracles with his own eyes. He heard warnings from God’s prophet. He even witnessed mercy, like when God removed the plagues at Pharaoh's request. Still, Pharaoh refused to surrender.

This freedom to reject God is one of the most mysterious aspects of human responsibility. We ask, “Why wouldn’t someone believe after seeing such signs?” But the answer lies not in the eyes, but in the heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Guarding Our Hearts

If Pharaoh’s heart could harden under divine light, then we too must be cautious. Hardened hearts aren’t always loud and angry—they can become crusted over slowly through pride, comfort, distraction, or fear.

Here’s how we guard our hearts:

1. Stay humble before God. Pharaoh's pride made him blind. Humility opens the door to God's correction.

2. Don’t delay obedience. Pharaoh delayed and negotiated with God. We must act when God speaks.

3. Examine your response to correction. Do we resist conviction, or repent and change?

4. Remember God’s mercy. Each plague could have been final—but God gave Pharaoh chance after chance. God is merciful, but His patience is not eternal.

A Warning and a Hope

The story is a warning: you can see God's power and still reject Him. But it's also an invitation: you can turn to Him today. The same God who judged Egypt is the One who sent His Son to bear judgment in our place.

Hebrews 3:15 warns us:

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

God still speaks. He still calls. He still warns. But we must listen.

How Will You Respond?

Pharaoh serves as a mirror for all of us. The question is not whether God is real, or whether He speaks—the question is, how will we respond when He does?

Let’s not wait for life to fall apart to finally bow. Let’s not demand signs and wonders, when we already have the cross, the resurrection, and the Holy Spirit. Let us guard our hearts, walk in humble obedience, and say, “Yes, Lord,” when He calls. Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues

The Plagues of Egypt and the Call to Listen

"When Life Turns to Death: The Plagues of Egypt and the Call to Listen"

Scripture: Exodus 7:14–8:19

Today, we continue our journey through the story of the Exodus—a story not just of judgment and deliverance, but of a God who is patient, powerful, and persistent in calling people to repentance. Our focus is Exodus 7:14 through 8:19, where we encounter the first three of the ten plagues God sent upon Egypt.

These weren’t random disasters. They were targeted strikes—not just against Pharaoh’s stubborn heart, but against Egypt’s entire religious worldview. Through each plague, God was showing that He alone is Lord, not just over Israel, but over all creation.

Let’s walk through these first three plagues, see how they confronted the so-called gods of Egypt, and draw lessons for our own lives—especially about what happens when we ignore God's voice.

The Nile Turns to Blood: From Life to Death (Exodus 7:14–24)

The first plague was a dramatic one. God told Moses to strike the Nile River with his staff, and the water turned to blood. Fish died. The river stank. The Egyptians could not drink. What once was a source of life became a symbol of death and judgment.

Why the Nile? Because the Nile was everything to Egypt. It brought life to their crops, their livestock, and their people. It was also worshiped. The god Hapi was considered the spirit of the Nile. By turning the river to blood, God was declaring: "Hapi is not god—I am."

Also, Pharaoh himself had claimed divine status, and the Nile was considered under his authority. So God was confronting Pharaoh’s supposed power directly.

Lesson 1: When we make anything else our source of life—our career, money, relationships, even ourselves—God may show us that only He is the true source of life.

Frogs Invade the Land (Exodus 8:1–15)

Next, frogs came up from the river in swarms. They filled houses, beds, kitchens, and ovens. This wasn’t just a nuisance—it was a mockery of Egypt’s gods. The frog was sacred to the goddess Heqet, often depicted as a woman with a frog’s head. She was associated with fertility and new life.

Imagine: a god Egypt revered was being turned into a curse. And yet, even after Pharaoh begged for relief and the frogs died, his heart became hard again.

Lesson 2: God may use discomfort to get our attention—but once the discomfort is gone, will we still listen? Or will we, like Pharaoh, go back to our old ways?

We must learn to respond to God's voice not just when life is hard, but even when it's comfortable again.

Dust Becomes Gnats (Exodus 8:16–19)

In the third plague, God told Moses to strike the dust of the earth, and it became gnats (or lice). This time, there was no warning. It was a sudden display of God's sovereignty.

This was another blow to Egyptian religion. The god Geb was believed to rule over the dust and soil of the earth. But God took even the dust—something they thought was under divine protection—and used it as a weapon of judgment.

Even the magicians of Egypt had to admit, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19). Yet still, Pharaoh’s heart was hard.

Lesson 3: God will often humble us by attacking our pride. But if we refuse to acknowledge Him—even when the truth is right in front of us—we begin to callous our hearts against His grace.

The Danger of a Hardened Heart

Pharaoh didn’t start out completely closed off to God. But each time he resisted, his heart became harder. God’s prompting became easier to ignore.

This is a warning to us. When God convicts us—whether through a sermon, a circumstance, a whisper in our spirit—we must respond. Delaying obedience is dangerous. Ignoring His voice may feel harmless at first, but over time it leads to spiritual deafness.

Hebrews 3:15 says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Do We Listen when God Calls?

The first three plagues were more than punishments. They were revelations—of who God is, of what happens when we ignore Him, and of His power to turn even nature upside down to get our attention.

God turned the Nile from life to death. He turned sacred frogs into a curse. He took the dust and made it a source of misery. Why? Because He loved His people too much to let them stay in slavery—and He loved even Pharaoh too much to let him live in delusion.

Church, God is still speaking today. He still confronts idols. He still calls us to repentance. Let us not be like Pharaoh. Let us be people with soft hearts, ready ears, and willing spirits. Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues

Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart?

 "Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart?"

Scripture: Exodus 7:3, 13, 14, 22

Have you ever wondered why some people, even when they clearly see the truth, continue to resist it? Why do some harden their hearts even in the face of undeniable evidence that God is at work? That question brings us to the heart of Pharaoh’s story in Exodus.

In Exodus 7:3, God says, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.” Then in verses 13, 14, and 22, we see the results: Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. He refused to listen, to believe, or to change course. But does this mean that Pharaoh had no choice? Was he just a puppet in God's grand plan? Let's explore what these verses really teach us about free will, God’s sovereignty, and our own choices today.

God’s Foreknowledge Is Not the Same as God’s Control
When God says in Exodus 7:3, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart,” He is not saying Pharaoh was innocent and God made him bad. Rather, God is revealing that He knows the kind of man Pharaoh is—a proud, stubborn ruler who has already set his heart against the God of Israel.

Like a sun that hardens clay and melts wax, God's presence will have different effects depending on the material of the heart. Pharaoh's heart was already resistant. God simply confirmed the path Pharaoh was choosing.

Application: God knows us completely, but He does not force our choices. We still have freedom to respond to His word, whether with humility or pride.

Repeated Rejection Leads to a Hardened Heart
In Exodus 7:13, Pharaoh’s heart is “hard”—the Hebrew word also implies "firm, unyielding." In verse 14, God says his heart is “unyielding” or “heavy.” Then in verse 22, after the first plague, we read, “Pharaoh’s heart became hard.”

So what happened? Over and over, Pharaoh rejected God’s signs and warnings. Each time he said "no," his heart grew colder. Eventually, that pattern became a permanent posture.

Application: Be careful with the “small no’s” to God. Every time we ignore His voice, it's like adding another layer of resistance. Eventually, the heart can become so calloused that even miracles won't move it.

Free Will Is a Gift—but Also a Risk
God gave Pharaoh the ability to choose, and Pharaoh chose rebellion. In the same way, God gives us free will. He doesn’t force us to love Him, obey Him, or follow His ways. But our choices come with real consequences.

Some people think freedom means doing whatever we want. But true freedom is the ability to choose what is right. And the more we choose what is right, the freer we become. The more we choose sin or self, the more trapped we become—even if we think we’re in control.

Romans 1 echoes this truth: those who continually reject God are eventually “given over” to their own desires. That’s not God being cruel. That’s God honoring the freedom He gave us.

Bad Things Can Happen Because of Bad Choices
Pharaoh’s hardened heart didn’t just hurt him. It brought suffering to his people, to his servants, and even to the land of Egypt. The plagues devastated the nation.

Likewise, our choices—especially when we persist in wrong ones—don’t only affect us. They affect our families, our churches, our communities. God gives us warnings, chances to repent, and reminders of His love, but when we ignore them, consequences follow.

Today, If You Hear His Voice…
Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” This is God’s appeal to us.

Unlike Pharaoh, we don’t have to resist God. We don’t have to fight Him or delay obedience. We can humble ourselves, confess our sin, and ask Him to soften our hearts.

As Christians, we are not powerless. The Holy Spirit is working in us to keep our hearts sensitive and obedient. But we still must cooperate. We must choose every day to say, “Yes, Lord.”

So—who hardened Pharaoh’s heart? In a way, both Pharaoh and God did. Pharaoh hardened his own heart through pride and rebellion. God confirmed that choice and used it to demonstrate His power and justice.

But you and I are not Pharaoh. We can make a different choice. We can choose humility. We can say yes to God. We can let His Word melt our hearts instead of harden them.

Don’t wait. Don’t risk a hardened heart. Choose today to follow the Lord. Amen.

More: Sabbath School EXODUS Lesson 4 - The Plagues