Friday, April 16, 2021
“And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go” (Exodus 4:21 KJV).
Exactly what is “spiritual cardiosclerosis?” How can we avoid this invisible, destructive malady?
Keep reading about Pharaoh, King of Egypt: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him:…” (Exodus 10:1). “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go” (verse 20). “But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go” (verse 27).
“And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land” (Exodus 11:10). “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so” (Exodus 14:4). “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand” (verse 8). Again, the Egyptians themselves suffered spiritual cardiosclerosis: “And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen” (verse 17 ).
Other Gentiles in the Old Testament experienced a similar fate: “But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day” (Deuteronomy 2:30). “For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses” (Joshua 11:20).
Unfortunately, now Israel will undergo spiritual cardiosclerosis….
333 Words of Grace 