Pharaoh's Heart
Exodus 7:13,14
-Introduction: The Bible reports that Pharaoh's heart was evil against God's people. The example of the wickedness of Pharaoh's heart serves to alert us to the need to take care of our own feelings and emotions. In the same way that Pharaoh couldn't see his situation, we often don't see what we're doing wrong and we need help.
How is your heart?
Let's reflect on the plight of Pharaoh's heart and learn for our lives:
1- Hard Heart
Exodus 7:13 "However, Pharaoh's heart was hardened,
and he did not hear them, as the LORD had said.”
The Exodus text recounts eleven times that Pharaoh's heart was hardened (Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 8:32; 9:12,34; 10:20,27; 11:10; 14:4,8 and 17). But is it God who hardens our hearts? In fact, the text makes it clear that God revealed the real situation of Pharaoh's heart to show his wickedness.
In Egyptian mythology, it was believed that when a person died he underwent a trial in the court of the gods and his heart was placed on one side of a scale and on the other side the 'pen of truth'. If the heart were lighter than a feather, it would be acquitted, but if it were heavier than the feather, then it would be condemned. Therefore, the Bible says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart to show that he was condemning himself according to his own beliefs.
Pharaoh's own belief condemned him, for whether his heart should be lighter than a feather was far from his reality, for his heart was malicious and hard against defenseless slaves.
The solution to a hard heart is to ask the Lord to remove the stones and give you a new tender heart (Ezekiel 11:19). This work is of the Holy Spirit who convicts us of error and changes our hearts to have a new life (John 16:8-11).
Don't let your heart harden!
2- Obstinate Heart
Exodus 7:14 “The LORD said to Moses,
Pharaoh's heart is stubborn. He doesn't want to let the people go.”
Pharaoh was the supreme head of the greatest nation in the ancient world, so there was no one above him to make him fear. In his beliefs, the Pharaoh was also considered a god worshiped by the Egyptians, so he did not consider limits on his actions.
Many famous pharaohs were known for their prowess and grand constructions, but also for their perversity against slaves and enemy peoples. Stubbornness became a personality trait of Egyptian rulers as well as other great world leaders.
The stubborn person does not accept correction, does not change, does not recognize his mistakes, persists in what he is doing without changing. God's own people on leaving Egypt became obstinate in their hearts against God and did not repent of their mistakes (Psalm 78:8).
Stubbornness is a serious problem for people who cannot recognize flaws. Many leaders also become stubborn and do not accept correction. People who prosper often tend to forget about their difficulties and so become stubborn. Children educated without limits also run the risk of growing up stubborn and without reflecting on the consequences of their mistakes.
Don't let your heart become obstinate!
3- Fickle heart
Exodus 14:5 “When it was announced to the king of Egypt that the people were fleeing, the heart of Pharaoh and his officials was turned against the people, and they said, What is this we have done, by allowing Israel to cease serving us?”
God sent ten plagues on Egypt to warn Pharaoh and make him free the people of Israel. But at the end of each plague Pharaoh promised to let the people go if the plague stopped, but when it stopped he repented and did not deliver them (Exodus 8:8,9).
This fickleness of Pharaoh's heart prevented him from changing his attitude. Therefore, more and more were the plagues against the Egyptians. Every time he tried to change, he soon couldn't, for his evil was greater.
The fickle person cannot consolidate good decisions, as he soon changes his mind. Like a plant without a root, it does not bear fruit and when a storm comes it does not remain standing. God is not pleased with the fickleness of the human heart (James 1:7-9), which is actually bound by sin and the pleasures that prevent change (2 Peter 2:14).
Don't let your heart be fickle!
Take care of your heart!
-CONCLUSION:
Pharaoh's doom was prescribed by his own beliefs, for he was hard-hearted, obstinate, and fickle. These characteristics teach us that we need to keep our hearts sensitive, willing to change, and obedient to the Lord. Many circumstances in life come to treat our heart, just take care of the feelings, emotions and attitudes that nourish our life and reveal the real meaning of our interior.
To take care of our hearts exposed to the wickedness of the world, we must first surrender to the Lord (Proverbs 23:26), who does not accuse us, but even knowing us forgives (I John 3:20,21).
Give your heart to the Lord JESUS CHRIST!
Source: https://www.esbocosermao.com/2019/10/o-coracao-de-farao.html
SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW. THANKS.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário