Perils of a Hard Heart

Call to Worship

Psalm 80:1–2 LSB

O Shepherd of Israel, give ear, You who guide Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your might And come to save us!

Psalm 80:8–19 LSB

You removed a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and then You planted it. You cleared the ground before it, And it took deep root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shadow, And the cedars of God with its boughs. It sent out its branches to the sea And its shoots to the River. Why have You broken down its hedges, So that all who pass that way pick its fruit? A boar from the forest devours it And whatever moves in the field feeds on it. O God of hosts, return now, we beseech You; Look down from heaven and see, and visit this vine, Even the sapling which Your right hand has planted, And on the son whom You have strengthened for Yourself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down; They perish at the rebuke of Your face. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. Then we shall not turn back from You; Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. O Yahweh God of hosts, restore us; Cause Your face to shine upon us, that we might be saved.

First Reading

Jeremiah 23:23–29 LSB

“Am I a God who is near,” declares Yahweh, “And not a God far off? “Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?” declares Yahweh. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares Yahweh. “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy a lie in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’ “How long? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy a lie, even these prophets of the deception of their own heart, who intend to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they recount to one another, just as their fathers forgot My name because of Baal? “The prophet who has a dream may recount his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares Yahweh. “Is not My word like fire?” declares Yahweh, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?

Scripture and Prayer

Luke 12:49–56 LSB

“I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! “But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished! “Do you think that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” And He was also saying to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. “And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It will be a hot day,’ and it happens. “You hypocrites! You know how to examine the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not examine this present time?

Intro:

AG: As we have been studying the plagues in Exodus, I came accross this quote by Charles Spurgeon

There is no heart so hard but what God’s hammer can dash it in pieces.

Charles Spurgeon

I believe we truly see “God’s hammer” in the plagues He brought against Egypt.

TS: We are looking at today that the final triad of plagues. The pattern of escalating severity still holds true for this triad.

RS: We are witnessing the dangerous consequences of having a hard heart toward God. We would do well to learn from the of the plagues to heed God’s warnings, call others to repentance, and continue to trust and obey God.

Pummeled by Hail

EX:

A. The Warning Ex 9:13-21

God sent

Exodus 9:13–14 NKJV

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of the Hebrews: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me, for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth.

God warns: I will send ALL my plagues

God makes it clear this is HIS doing!

The Plagues purpose

Egyptians would recognize that Yahweh was incomparable

Declare that any authority Pharoah had was by God’s providence

Demonstrate that He was being merciful not to strike the people at first.

God was holding back

Exodus 9:15–17 NKJV

Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. As yet you exalt yourself against My people in that you will not let them go.

God was fully in control of this showdown

Paul used v. 16 to illustrate the point that God has all authority to have mercy or to harden someone.

It is a mystery and unresolved tension, but God was working to bring down Pharoah and all the gods and goddesses he trusted in.

God removed everything that shored up Pharaoh’s disbelief and rebellion.

God Forewarned

Exodus 9:18–21 NKJV

Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die.” ’ ” He who feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.

B. The Plague Ex 9:22-26

Hail sent

Exodus 9:22–25 NKJV

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.

Some listened, and obeyed God thus preserving men and animals from the hail, others ignored the warning

The thunderstorm brought fireballs (probably ball lightening which still can’t be explained) running around mingled with the hail.

Yahweh’s Supremacy

It demonstrated Yahweh’s dominance over deities associated with the sky, weather, and agriculture, particularly: Nut, the sky goddess, who was believed to control the heavens and weather.

Shu, the god of air and wind, associated with atmospheric phenomena.

Tefnut, the goddess of moisture, linked to rain and storms.

The hail destroyed crops and livestock, undermining the Egyptian gods’ supposed control over natural elements and fertility.

Israel Spared

Exodus 9:26 NKJV

Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary) The discriminatory nature of this plague was unannounced beforehand, but the national distinction previously declared and observed again prevailed. Although unstated, those who were in the strife-torn regions and who obeyed instructions obviously found their livestock equally safe and sound.

C. The Reaction Ex: 9:27-35

Exodus 9:27–35 LSB

Then Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron and said to them, “I have sinned this time; Yahweh is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones. “Entreat Yahweh, for God’s thunder and hail are too much; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.” And Moses said to him, “As soon as I go out of the city, I will spread out my hands to Yahweh; the thunder will cease, and there will be hail no longer, that you may know that the earth is Yahweh’s. “But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear Yahweh God.” (Now the flax and the barley were struck down, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bud. But the wheat and the spelt were not struck down, for they are late-ripening.) And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to Yahweh; and the thunder and the hail ceased, and rain no longer poured on the earth. But Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased. So he sinned again and hardened his heart with firmness, he and his servants. And Pharaoh’s heart was hardened with strength, and he did not let the sons of Israel go, just as Yahweh had spoken by the hand of Moses.

v. 27- sinned THIS time

31-32: flax and barley ruined, wheat and spelt not harmed

34 sinned again

AP: Heed God’s warnings!

Christians today encounter God’s “warnings” through Scripture, conscience, or wise counsel.

For instance, biblical teachings on avoiding greed, pride, or immorality (e.g., 1 Timothy 6:10, James 4:6) serve as calls to align with God’s will. Practically, this might mean reevaluating lifestyle choices—like excessive materialism or unhealthy relationships—and making changes to honor God.

Pride

James 4:6 LSB

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Greed

1 Timothy 6:10 LSB

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils, and some by aspiring to it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

2. Pillaged by Locusts

Ex 10:1-20

EX:

A. The Warning Ex 10:1-11

Exodus 10:1–10 LSB

Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants with firmness, that I may set these signs of Mine among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your son and of your grandson, how I dealt severely with the Egyptians, and how I put My signs among them, that you may know that I am Yahweh.” Then Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. ‘For if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. ‘And they shall cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land. They will also eat the rest of what has escaped—what remains for you from the hail—and they will eat every tree which sprouts for you out of the field. ‘Then your houses and the houses of all your servants and the houses of all the Egyptians shall be filled, something which neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen, from the day that they came upon the earth until this day.’” And he turned and went out from Pharaoh. And Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve Yahweh their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?” So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve Yahweh your God! Who are the ones that are going?” And Moses said, “We shall go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we shall go, for it is a feast of Yahweh for us.” Then he said to them, “Thus may Yahweh be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! See, for evil is on your faces.

v.2- God was giving Israel a history like no other country

They would recount this whole story for generations.

That is what we are doing even now in 2025

v.3- HOw long?

Pharoah bore personal responsibility and was facing God’s wrath.

After 7 plagues, it was time for call to reconsider and obey.

v.4-6 This was unique in Egyptian history then and even to this day.

Egyptians feared locusts and would pray to their locust god for safety for their crops

1B. The Plague Ex 10:12-15

Exodus 10:12–15 LSB

Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt and eat every plant of the land, all that the hail has left remaining.” So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and Yahweh directed an east wind on the land all that day and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts came up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt; they were very heavy. There had never been so many locusts, nor would there be so many again. For they covered the surface of the whole land, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every plant of the land and all the fruit of the trees that the hail had left. Thus nothing green was left on tree or plant of the field through all the land of Egypt.

Yahweh’s Supremacy

The locust plague consumed what remained of Egypt’s crops, further challenging deities tied to agriculture and protection of the land: Osiris, the god of agriculture, fertility, and the underworld, who was believed to ensure bountiful harvests.

Min, a god associated with fertility and vegetation.

Nepri, the god of grain.

The locusts’ devastation showed Yahweh’s power over these deities, rendering their protection ineffective.

C. The Reaction Ex: 10:16-20

Exodus 10:16–20 LSB

Then Pharaoh hurriedly called for Moses and Aaron, and he said, “I have sinned against Yahweh your God and against you. “So now, please forgive my sin only this once and entreat Yahweh your God, that He would only cause this death to depart from me.” And he went out from Pharaoh and entreated Yahweh. So Yahweh changed the wind to a very strong west wind which took up the locusts and drove them into the Red Sea; not one locust remained in all the territory of Egypt. But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart with strength, and he did not let the sons of Israel go.

v. 17 forgive my sin

Pharoah waivers some, but not sufficiently

AP: Call others to repentance

Christians are called to share God’s transformative work in their lives (1 Peter 3:15).

1 Peter 3:15 LSB

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear,

This could involve sharing a testimony of overcoming hardship through faith, participating in evangelism, or supporting missions. For instance, a believer might post about God’s faithfulness on social media or invite a friend to church to share the gospel.

3. Plunged into Darkness

Ex 10:21-29

EX:

A. The Warning

NONE

B. The Plague Ex 10:21-23

Exodus 10:21–23 LSB

Then Yahweh said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt.” So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the sons of Israel had light in their places of habitation.

MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary) Such a description of the ninth plague, which occurred without warning, pointed to the most unusual nature of the three-day darkness that now prevented any from leaving their homes.

Yahweh’s Supremacy

The plague of darkness, which lasted three days and was so intense it could be “felt,” directly challenged the most significant Egyptian deity: Ra (or Re), the sun god, one of Egypt’s most powerful deities, symbolizing light, life, and order.

Horus, often associated with the sun and kingship.

Aten, another solar deity (though less prominent during the likely time of the Exodus).

The total darkness over Egypt nullified Ra’s power, proving Yahweh’s sovereignty over the sun and light itself.

C. The Reaction Exodus 10:24-29

Exodus 10:24–29 LSB

Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, “Go, serve Yahweh; only let your flocks and your herds be detained. Even your little ones may go with you.” But Moses said, “You must also let us have in our hand sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice them to Yahweh our God. “Therefore, our livestock too shall go with us; not a hoof shall remain behind, for we shall take some of them to serve Yahweh our God. And until we come there, we ourselves do not know with what we shall serve Yahweh.” But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh’s heart with strength, and he was not willing to let them go. Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die!” And Moses said, “As you have spoken; I shall never see your face again!”

Pharoah relents and recants

God hardens.

Again, as uncomfortable as it sounds, GOD had a purpose. He wasn’t finished demonstrating His sovereignty and Pharaoh and Egypt were not yet ready to recognize Yahweh’s superiority

MacArthur Study Bible NASB (Commentary) Moses concurred, but from another perspective than that of Pharaoh. All negotiations and requests ceased immediately. Moses would be summoned to see Pharaoh again after the tenth plague (12:31), but that would be to hear him finally concede defeat.

AP:

We must trust and obey

Trust GOD

God sent Moses to deliver Israel and plunder Egypt and He brought it about

God sends us today

Yield to His word!

Believe it!

Obey

Follow through and obey!

Be a doer of the word

James 1:22 LSB

But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

James 1:23 LSB

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;

James 1:24 LSB

for once he looked at himself and has gone away, he immediately forgot what kind of person he was.

James 1:25 LSB

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Conc

Heed God’s Warnings

Call others to repentance

Trust and Obey