Hardened Heart

I. EXORDIUM:

Are your heart hardened?

Yes before I was born again but now, never ever, again. Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amplified Bible)

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that the LORD holds every man's heart in his hands and He can do what He pleases so pray to the LORD so that He will change your heart, and the heart of your enemies.

Proverbs 21:1 (Amplified Bible)

THE KING’S heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

IV. TEXT:

Exodus 10:27 (Amplified Bible)

But the Lord made Pharaoh’s heart stronger and more stubborn, and he would not let them go.

Exodus 10:27 (King James Version)

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for a heart and mind that can be renewed by Your WORD.

Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

VI. TITLE:

Hardened heart

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author and Central Character: Moses

B. Date written: 1447-1410 b.c.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

C. Purpose: To be a permanent reminder of God's redemptive act on Passover night; and of His care and direction, through the cloud of day and the pillar of fire of night, during His people's wilderness wanderings on the way to Canaan.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

D. To whom written: Each new generation of Israel

E. Main Theme: History of Israel from death of Joseph to the erection of the tabernacle

F. Key word: deliverance

G. Key verses:

Exodus 12:40-43 (Amplified Bible)

12:40 Now the time the Israelites dwelt in Egypt was 430 years.

12:41 At the end of the 430 years, even that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out of Egypt.

12:42 It was a night of watching unto the Lord and to be much observed for bringing them out of Egypt; this same night of watching unto the Lord is to be observed by all the Israelites throughout their generations.

12:43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat of it;

VIII. MAIN BODY:

Exodus 10:27 (King James Version)

But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.

A. The LORD can change hearts

"But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart,"

After the word "hardened" comes the signature of ALEPH-TAV, the BEGINNING and the END, the FIRST and the LAST. It's placed in between the words of "hardened" and "Pharaoh". No doubt about it, only the LORD can harden or soften a man's heart.

Proverbs 21:1 (King James Version)

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Proverbs 21:1 (Amplified Bible)

THE KING’S heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

The LORD is in the business of changing heart towards Him, the people around us and towards any circumstances or situation.

Hardened or "chazaq" in Hebrew means:

1. to fasten upon

2. be strong (courageous, strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify)

3. to bind, restrain, conquer

We see the fourth definition of hardened or "chazaq" that leads us to the conclusion that if Pharaoh's heart will continue to be hardened, it is to bind, restrain and conquer his heart. The LORD aims for the heart for the person's heart to be changed toward Him, but Pharaoh missed GOD's goodness and therefore he's easy prey to be bound, to be restrained like an animal and to be conquered by the LORD.

Purpose of hardening the heart of Pharaoh:

1. That the LORD might display His signs and wonders (the 10 plagues) before Pharaoh.