How should Exodus 7:14 influence our response to God's commands in daily life? A hardened heart: the cautionary snapshot “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Pharaoh’s heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go.’” (Exodus 7:14) • A real king, a real nation, a real refusal—God’s report on Pharaoh’s heart is literal history and a sober warning. • The verse sits at the doorway to the ten plagues: every judgment that follows traces back to one choice—stiffen or submit. • God’s command was clear, not complicated. Pharaoh’s downfall began when he treated that command as optional. Why Pharaoh’s stance still matters • Hardened hearts do not merely “happen”; they form through repeated refusals (Hebrews 3:7-8). • Delay is not neutral. Every “not now” silences today’s conviction and chisels tomorrow’s resistance. • God’s patience does not erase accountability; the plagues prove that delayed obedience is disobedience (Proverbs 29:1). Daily-life checkpoints 1. Promptness – When Scripture speaks, move quickly (Psalm 119:60). 2. Humility – A pliable heart admits, “God is right; I am wrong” (Isaiah 66:2b). 3. Thoroughness – Obey the whole command, not a convenient portion (James 1:22-25). 4. Dependence – Pray for a heart of flesh, not stone (Ezekiel 36:26), inviting the Spirit to keep it soft. Practical habits that keep the heart tender • Start the morning with a short reading and immediate application note—one concrete step you will take before nightfall. • Replace “I’ll think about it” with “Yes, Lord,” spoken aloud when conviction strikes. • Keep a log of delayed obediences; review weekly and clear the backlog. • Invite a trusted believer to ask, “What did God show you, and did you act on it?” Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Reinforcing Scriptures • John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • Proverbs 28:14 — “Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.” • 2 Chronicles 34:27 — “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God… I have heard you.” • Hebrews 12:25 — “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.” Takeaway for today Exodus 7:14 spotlights a hardened heart so we will cultivate a soft one. Every command you encounter is a crossroads: follow Pharaoh and resist, or follow Christ and respond. Quick, humble, whole-hearted obedience keeps the plagues outside and the peace of God within. |
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