Originally posted by @sonship
[b]Exodus says both, that Pharoah hardened his heart and that God hardened it.
Probably, no man would have been able to withstand such opposition from God unless God hardened his already hardened heart.
But it is a paradox I would not claim I completely understand.
This is bit of ministry from Life Study of Exodus by Witness Lee helps me. ...[text shortened]... ening of Pharoah's heart at
http://www.ministrybooks.org/SearchMinBooksDsp.cfm?id=30E3FAA2CF[/b]
I don't believe it is a paradox, I think it happens the same way each time for us all. If we
are willing to allow God in our hearts can go hard to soft, stone to flesh. If we resist God
we harden our hearts. I believe the reason it says both, because both are true. God acted
and knowing what someone does when they resist his heart was harden, by himself in the
act of resisting God.
Proverbs 28:14
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Psalm 95:8
do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
Zechariah 7:12
They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.
Mark 3:5
And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Mark 6:52
for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Romans 2:5
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
Hebrews 3:15
As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Hebrews 4:7
again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.