God’s Use of Hardened Hearts

When Hearts Harden: From Pharaoh to the Last Days

Have you ever wondered why Pharaoh's hardened heart is mentioned so many times in the book of Exodus? It’s as if God is drawing our attention to something bigger than just the story of one stubborn king. Pharaoh's hard heart isn't just a historical footnote—it's a warning, a theological truth, and, believe it or not, a lens through which we can understand what’s happening in the world today.

As I studied the repeated mentions of Pharaoh's heart hardening (Exodus 7–14), I couldn’t help but think about how it connects to the times we’re living in. Many people believe we’re in the last days, and honestly, it’s hard not to see why. Evil seems to be increasing on the earth, and rebellion against God feels more rampant than ever. But here’s the incredible truth: God was sovereign over Pharaoh's hard heart then, and He’s sovereign over the hardened hearts and rebellion we see now.

Let’s explore how Pharaoh’s hardened heart—and God’s sovereignty in the midst of it—can speak to us today.

Pharaoh's Hardened Heart: A Lesson in God’s Sovereignty

If you’ve read the story of the Exodus, you know that Pharaoh's refusal to let the Israelites go sets the stage for one of the most powerful displays of God’s glory in the Bible. But what might surprise you is how much emphasis the story places on the condition of Pharaoh's heart. Time and again, we’re told that Pharaoh's heart was "hardened"—sometimes by his own stubbornness, and other times by God Himself (Exodus 7:13, 8:15, 9:12). Why is this repeated so often?

The answer lies in God’s sovereignty. By allowing Pharaoh’s rebellion, God wasn’t just delivering Israel from slavery; He was demonstrating His supreme power over Pharaoh, Egypt, and all the false gods they worshiped. Pharaoh wasn’t just a political ruler—he was considered a god by the Egyptians. By hardening Pharaoh’s heart, God proved that no human king, no false deity, and no act of rebellion could thwart His plan.

Through Pharaoh’s hardened heart, God displayed His power, His justice, and His faithfulness to His people. Even Pharaoh's stubborn rebellion couldn’t stop God’s purposes. In fact, God used it to fulfill His promises.

Hardened Hearts Today: Are We Seeing History Repeat Itself?

Fast-forward to today, and I can’t help but see the parallels. Hardened hearts are everywhere. Just as Pharaoh resisted God’s authority, many in our modern world are rejecting God outright. Whether it’s the denial of His existence, rebellion against His moral law, or the glorification of self over the Creator, we see evidence of hardened hearts all around us.

Scripture tells us that this would happen. In 2 Timothy 3:1–5, Paul describes the last days like this:
"There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power."

Does that not sound eerily familiar? The world feels increasingly like this description. But here’s the key: just as God was sovereign over Pharaoh’s hard heart, He is sovereign over the rebellion and evil we see today. None of it is outside His control.

Why Does God Allow Hard Hearts?

This is a question I wrestled with as I studied Pharaoh's story. Why does God allow people to resist Him? Why doesn’t He soften every heart so that everyone turns to Him? The story of Pharaoh gives us a few answers:

• To Display His Glory: Just as God used Pharaoh’s rebellion to reveal His power and supremacy, He can use the evil in our world to showcase His justice, mercy, and ultimate victory. God’s glory shines even brighter in contrast to the darkness of human sin.

• To Accomplish His Purposes: God has a plan that is bigger than what we can see. Even when it looks like evil is winning, God is working all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Pharaoh’s rebellion led to the Exodus, which displayed God’s faithfulness to His people. In the same way, the rebellion of our time will ultimately lead to Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom.

• To Call Us to Repentance: Pharaoh’s hard heart serves as a warning to us. Rebellion against God leads to judgment, but He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Even as we see hardened hearts today, God is giving people time to repent and turn to Him.

Living in the Last Days: What Should We Do?

So, if we are living in a time of increased rebellion and hardened hearts, how should we as believers respond? Here are a few things I’ve been reflecting on:

• Trust in God’s Sovereignty
  Just as God was in control during the Exodus, He is in control now. The rise of evil and rebellion is not a sign that God has lost control—it’s evidence that His plan is unfolding as He said it would. We can trust that He knows what He’s doing, even when the world feels chaotic.

• Stand Firm in Faith
  The darkness of the world is an opportunity for the light of Christ to shine through us. As believers, we’re called to stand firm in truth, even when it’s unpopular. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

• Share the Gospel Boldly
  Hardened hearts can still be softened by the power of the Gospel. Even as rebellion increases, God is still saving souls. Our mission is to share the good news of Jesus with the world. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

• Look Forward to Christ’s Return
  Just as the Israelites looked forward to their deliverance from Egypt, we look forward to the day when Christ will return and set all things right. Until then, we live with hope, knowing that His kingdom is coming. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

The story of Pharaoh reminds us that God is always in control, even when hearts are hardened and rebellion seems to prevail. He used Pharaoh’s stubbornness to reveal His glory, and He can use the rebellion of our time to do the same. As believers, we are called to trust Him, remain faithful, and share the Gospel, knowing that His ultimate victory is guaranteed.

So, as we see the world growing darker, take heart. Just as God delivered His people from Egypt, He will deliver us. And just as He was glorified through Pharaoh’s rebellion, He will be glorified through the events of these last days.

Evil doesn’t get the final word. God does.