Three Habits of a Hard Heart

Introduction

Why do we do dumb stuff when we know better?

Emotional conditioning.

An experience (like spilling coffee on your computer) creates an emotional state that you can’t control leading to decisions you would have not made otherwise (like chewing out your boss at work when he asks why you are late).

Evolutionary programming.

We evolved, like all organisms, to survive on a moment by moment basis. We want what we want right now and can’t rewire our brains to take into account longer-term consequences.

Confirmation bias.

We have such confidence in our pre-existing conclusions that we only acknowledge evidence that supports our current position and ignore all other information.

What is the biblical reason?

The heart operates much like a tree planted in soil. If we put down roots into the soil of sin we simultaneously develop a greater appetite for that sin, growing deeper and stronger roots, and we become increasingly immovable - hardened to our condition and plight.

We do not need emotional conditioning, evolutionary programming, or confirmation bias to explain the way in which pride manipulates us into our own downfall.

Assuming none of us particularly wants to end up self-deceived sinning to our own hurt, how can we avoid this fate?

Well, this morning I want us to look at plagues 4-6 on Egypt and take note of three habits that identify a hardened heart.

Remember our context:

God is bringing about His judgments on Egypt in the form of 10 plagues.

The plagues come in a pattern - 3 sets of 3, and a final judgment.

We are looking at the second set of plagues, and Egypt has already endured the Nile turning to blood, frogs everywhere, and swarms of lice or gnats.

God is humbling Egypt and Egypt’s Pharaoh by targeting their comfort, their livelihoods, and also their gods. This week the hard lessons for Egypt continue, and spoiler alert, they don’t respond in a way that avoids the third cycle of judgments.

So here we go, Yahweh vs. Egypt, round 2.

Instead of repenting from sin, a hard heart:

Negotiates Consequences (8:20-32)

God’s Warning (8:20-23)

Exodus 8:20–23 NASB95

Now the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. “For if you do not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and on your servants and on your people and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians will be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they dwell. “But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the Lord, am in the midst of the land. “I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur.” ’ ”

Exposition

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 8

Now the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Now the LORD said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he comes out to the water, and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

Same pattern as the first judgment, a fact likely not lost on Pharaoh.

Exodus 7:15–16 NASB95

“Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he is going out to the water, and station yourself to meet him on the bank of the Nile; and you shall take in your hand the staff that was turned into a serpent. “You shall say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness. But behold, you have not listened until now.”

Exodus 7:15 NASB95

“Go to Pharaoh in the morning as he is going out to the water, and station yourself to meet him on the bank of the Nile; and you shall take in your hand the staff that was turned into a serpent.

God will send a swarm of flies:

Possibly better translated as gadfly, biting dog fly, or various kinds of annoying biting and nonbiting insects in huge swarms

The plague will be on targeted on Pharaoh and on down to last Egyptian

Houses will be full, and also the ground on which they dwell

New feature:

Explicit protection of God’s people

Implicit earlier, but God is now making a distinction that you can’t miss

Result:

Pharaoh will be forced to acknowledge God’s immanence - His presence in the land

God is drawing a line between His people and Pharaoh’s

Lessons

Revelation increases accountability

God will always ultimately spare His own from final judgment, but He sometimes chooses to spare us from present judgments as well

Do not take the idea that God loves this world so far as to erase the distinction that God maintains in His mind between His own and His enemies

The similar circumstances of the first series of plagues would not be lost on Pharaoh.

Special Note: Make a mental note of verse 23 where it says God will be a division between His people and those of Pharaoh. We will come back to this later.

Transition

Perhaps better translated, “various kinds of annoying biting and nonbiting insects in huge swarms”

God has given His warning to Pharaoh, and without any sign of repentance on the part of Pharaoh we are not surprised that we move quickly from God’s warning to His judgment.

God’s Judgment (8:24)

Exodus 8:24 NASB95

Then the Lord did so. And there came great swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh and the houses of his servants and the land was laid waste because of the swarms of flies in all the land of Egypt.

God’s Judgment (8:24)

Exposition

Unlike Pharaoh who is constantly going back on his word, Yahweh does exactly as He said He would.

No window screens.

These biting, annoying, flies enter every house, including Pharaoh’s

The land is essentially ruined as a result

No screens, no way to keep the flies out without locking yourself in an unbearable hot-box

Can’t see to work

Everywhere buzzes, moves, and crunches

Constant discomfort and inability to rest

Remember God is judging not just Pharaoh, but the gods of Egypt

This plague is difficult to pin down exactly, no clear god of flies

Possibly associated with:

Show picture

Uatchit (you-at-chit)

Khepri (kep-ree)

The fly was a symbol used on amulets for courage though

Transition

“Land was ruined” – primarily quality of life

This trial brings the suffering closer to Pharaoh personally as he cannot easily avoid the effects. How will he respond now that he literally has skin in the game?

Pharaoh’s Response (8:25-29)

Exodus 8:25–29 NASB95

Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” But Moses said, “It is not right to do so, for we will sacrifice to the Lord our God what is an abomination to the Egyptians. If we sacrifice what is an abomination to the Egyptians before their eyes, will they not then stone us? “We must go a three days’ journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He commands us.” Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Make supplication for me.” Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you, and I shall make supplication to the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people tomorrow; only do not let Pharaoh deal deceitfully again in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.”

Exposition

Pharaoh tries to compromise – they can sacrifice in the land.

First Negotiation

Sacrifice within the land

Countered by Moses in the fashion of middle eastern negotiations

We have to sacrifice in a way that is an abomination to you

We will be attacked if we stay and sacrifice

God told us to go three day’s journey - which represented a distance that put the people beyond Pharaoh’s control

Second Negotiation

Okay, leave the land, but don’t go too far

Request for personal prayer - Pharaoh was personally desperate for relief

Accepted by Moses

Likely seen as Pharaoh “saving face”

Accompanied by a warning

Transition

Pharaoh makes a second concession as well

Moses must have gone home that night wondering if they were to be released the next day. Where was the heart of Pharaoh at? What would things look like after the flies were gone?

Pharaoh’s request to “pray for me” indicates this plague affected him personaly

Heart Check (8:30-32)

Exodus 8:30–32 NASB95

So Moses went out from Pharaoh and made supplication to the Lord. The Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants and from his people; not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go.

Exposition

Moses prays as requested, and God removes every last fly from Pharaoh personally, and from his people

Pharaoh hardens his own heart, as he had already, and took back his promise to let the Israelites go

Lessons

The desire for a cease-fire is not the same as a decision to surrender

Negotiation is rebellion

Children negotiating before obeying parents

Spouses negotiating between loving each other as God commanded

Only receiving the Gospel if it comes on our terms

Story of the guy who wanted salvation and his sin.

Transition

Negotiating with God as a stall tactic is incredibly short-sighted. We are talking about the creator of the universe. You are trying to control your own reality, but you are up against the God who creates your reality. You are going to lose, but that doesn’t stop people from defying reality anyway.

Defies Reality (9:1-7)

God’s Warning (9:1-4)

Exodus 9:1–4 NASB95

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. “For if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them, behold, the hand of the Lord will come with a very severe pestilence on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks. “But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing will die of all that belongs to the sons of Israel.” ’ ”

Exposition

Another announcement with a warning. Appears to Pharaoh similarly to plagues two and eight – in Pharaoh’s chambers.

Takes place in Pharaoh’s chambers, just like plague two, continuing the pattern.

Pharaoh has to be paranoid of going anywhere and doing anything - Moses is going to show up and ruin his day.

God’s Terms

God isn’t negotiating, He repeats His terms

God promises a refusal will result in a decisive judgment from “his hand”

First time God mentions His own hand to Pharaoh

Pharaoh’s magicians had already noted that these judgments were the “finger of God,” but not His whole hand was going to be involved

God’s Judgment

Pestilence will befall every kind of livestock the Egyptians maintained

God will make a distinction between Israel and Egypt yet again in reference to the effects of the judgment - not a single animal among the Hebrews will perish

Lessons

Another announcement with a warning. Appears to Pharaoh similarly to plagues two and eight – in Pharaoh’s chambers.

Personalized with “the hand of the Lord” – this one will be big.

God’s judgement and discipline both often scale with our rebelliousness

Transition

By now the pattern is only too familiar. God warns, Pharaoh refuses, and judgment comes.

God’s Judgment (9:5-6)

Exodus 9:5–6 NASB95

The Lord set a definite time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” So the Lord did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the sons of Israel, not one died.

Exposition

God takes control - in contrast to when God allowed Pharaoh to “have the honor” of choosing a time for the plague to end, we now see God choosing His own timetable.

Yahweh follows through again, and the devastation of the livestock is staggering throughout Egypt.

Not every animal dies, but many animals of all kinds die. More animals die later in the plagues.

God being targeted would seem to be Hathor, the goddess of love, joy, the cosmetic arts, music, motherhood, and more. Perhaps the most popular goddess of all. More children named after her than any other god or goddess.

Transition

Imagine the economic and practical toll an agricultural culture faced with the loss of its livestock? How will Pharaoh respond in the face of such an undeniable reality?

Pharaoh’s Response (9:7a)

Exodus 9:7 NASB95

Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not even one of the livestock of Israel dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

Exposition

Pharoah sends and conducts a study to see if Yahweh’s words about a distinction between the Egyptians and the Hebrews is true, and it is.

In response, Pharaoh investigates the Israelites and confirms the accuracy of God’s words, but his heart is unyielding.

Pharoah is not ignorant about the situation, he investigates and knows all the facts.

Transition

Surely Pharaoh has to relent in the face of incontrovertible evidence that Yahweh is sovereign, right?

Heart Check (9:7b)

Exposition

Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, and he does not relent.

The back-and-forth of Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God hardening Pharaoh’s heart continues. It is a dangerous, deadly cycle.

Lessons

Sin is always a rejection of reality.

The further into sin we go, the more we must live in spite of the facts.

In our culture, to enable our commitment to total sexual autonomy, we have had no-fault divorce; abortion, hook-up culture, homosexual marriage, transgenderism, and are currently moving towards poly-amory.

What data for family cohesion, economic success, suicide rates, happiness levels, empowerment of the marginalized, employment rates, incarceration rates, etc., can we look at the suggests any of our recent moral “progressiveness” is anything but a disaster? And yet we continue at breakneck speed. Every time a piece of our cultural bus comes flying off in the wind the only answer seems to be to drive faster.

How about us? Are there sinful or foolish habits in your life that you keep trying to justify despite the obvious reality of your situation?

Transition

We can almost sympathize with the pathetic state of Pharaoh. What a miserable person. And yet, the tragedy is, he prefers his misery to repentance.

Prefers Misery (9:8-17)

No Warning (9:8-9)

Exodus 9:8–9 NASB95

Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take for yourselves handfuls of soot from a kiln, and let Moses throw it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh. “It will become fine dust over all the land of Egypt, and will become boils breaking out with sores on man and beast through all the land of Egypt.”

Exposition

No formal warning, like the third plague.

God tells Moses and Aaron what they are to do, but it doesn’t include any words of warning to Pharaoh first. Like the third plague which ended the first cycle of plagues, this judgment comes without warning.

No formal warning, like the third plague.

Lesson

God doesn’t always give warnings. Unlike some of our earthly authorities, we don’t always get a, “I really mean it this time, one more wrong step and I’ll...”

Proverbs 29:1 NASB95

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.

Transition

Notice how the plagues are moving closer and closer to the people and to those things necessary for survival.

God’s Judgment (9:10-11)

Exodus 9:10–11 NASB95

So they took soot from a kiln, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses threw it toward the sky, and it became boils breaking out with sores on man and beast. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians as well as on all the Egyptians.

Exodus 9:10–12 NASB95

So they took soot from a kiln, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses threw it toward the sky, and it became boils breaking out with sores on man and beast. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians as well as on all the Egyptians. And the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

The magicians cannot even stand in the presence of Moses anymore, likely for either ritual uncleanness or pain. This is the last time we see them.

Exposition

Both man and beast is affected by this plague, which starts in Pharaoh’s home.

The magicians are mentioned for the last time in the narrative, so humbled that they cannot even appear to contest. Pharaoh is now totally isolated from any support. Likely unclean ceremonially.

God’s targeted:

Isis goddess of medicine and peace

Sekhmet the lion headed bringer and ender of epidemics

Transition

Imhotep, who was in charge of medicine and the guardian of the healing sciences

Boils are pretty miserable, and Pharaoh has got to be among the most miserable, used as he is to the finer things in life. But it’s time for our heart check.

Heart Check

Exodus 9:12 NASB95

And the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

ex 9:

Exposition

Yahweh again hardens Pharaoh’s heart, just as He had promised would happen.

So who is at fault for this hardening? As divine hardening joins with human hardening, we must ask - how many chances does a man deserve? Pharaoh is entirely responsible for his sorry condition.

Lesson

You have found your idol when you prefer misery to repentance.

It might be pride causing us to hang on to bitterness that’s eating us up.

It might be love of money that keeps us in a job we despise instead of one we are gifted to do.

It might be addiction that turns us again and again to things that destroy health and relationships.

It might be any number of things, but if we prefer misery to repentance, our hearts are hard, and our idol is near.

Pharaoh is such a perfect cautionary tale of the folly of the human heart. We would do well to learn, and choose a different path.

Communion

Exodus 9:13–17 NASB95

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. “For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. “For if by now I had put forth My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, you would then have been cut off from the earth. “But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. “Still you exalt yourself against My people by not letting them go.

God is in control, and He is perfectly just in everything that is happening.

The unyielding heart of man. God does extend grace and patience, but He does not compromise and negotiate. His terms are His terms. We must relent.

Pharoah is about to reel beneath the full weight of “all [Yahweh’s] plagues.” In fact, the only reason he is still alive is because God’s power is being shown off in the judgment of Pharaoh and the name of God will be proclaimed through all the earth on his account .

Emphasis on the unchanging terms of God.

But verse 17 jumps out a bit, even after everything we have read. Really, it jumps out because of everything we’ve read. Despite all the plagues that have come, despite Pharaoh’s very life hanging by a thread in the hands of an angry God, despite all the judgments yet to come - still Pharoah is trying to exalt himself against the people of God.

He’s an object lesson and cautionary tale for the human heart.

What separates us from Pharaoh this morning?

God gave Pharaoh 10 chances.

Remember when I mentioned we would return to later, take a look again now.

Exodus 8:23 NASB95

“I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur.” ’ ”

There is something pretty special in the Hebrew here I want to show you.

Three times in our text we saw the idea of division or separation.

In it was betwen the land of Goshen and the land of Egypt. In it is between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. In , however, it is between the people of God and the people of Pharaoh.

In the first two examples I mentioned, one word is used that means a separation by preferential treatment - God is preferring the land and the livestock of the Israelites.

But in verse 23 of chapter 8, where it says God will put a division between His people and Pharaoh's people, the word is just slightly different. By one letter. And when you change that one letter, the word becomes redemption.

What separates us from Pharoah this morning? Not just preferential treatment. Between the people of God’s favor and the people of God’s judgment stands one thing - redemption.

God wanted Pharaoh to know that there is no one like Him in all the earth when he saw the judgments of God.

As we approach the communion table, we remember that there is no one like our God in all the earth, a God who pardons sin, forgives iniquity, cancels debts, redeems enemies.

If our sin deserved even so light a sentence as the plagues of Egypt, we could not bear it. Not even Pharoah will survive the judgments of God.

But there is no scale to measure the offense of our sin against God. And when Jesus took our place upon the cross, He did not bear up under “all the plagues” of God, no, He bore up under the full weight of all God’s wrath against all our sin combined.

We see in Pharaoh a heart that looks only too familiar. It is our heart apart from the work of Christ within us.

But when we look at Christ, we praise the God who puts redemption between His people and the subjects of His wrath.

Fence the table. Gospel. Partake together at the end.

Sing

Moment to repent of hardness of heart.

Partake

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