Study of God
Presentd, January 31, 2010 am
STUDY OF GOD (17)
Tough Questions (3)
Today we want to
answer two more questions in the third and final lesson dealing with
these difficult issues. We
want to answer: Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? And Will God send
good people to hell?
a. Again, we ought to be careful before we question God. And again, we don’t know the EXACT reason why or how God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. But there ARE plausible conclusions consistent with His merciful and loving character.
b.
First,
consider the evil of Pharaoh and Egypt.
AT some point during Israel’s 400 years in Goshen, the Egyptians
had oppressed them and made slaves out of them.
Recall that during the 80 years of Moses’ life before he leads
the people out, they are already in slavery and the Egyptian Pharaoh out
of fear kills all the innocent male children (except Moses).
God tells Moses to deliver and lead His people (Exodus 3-4).
After Moses confronts Pharaoh, instead of granting Israel time to
worship God, he treats them even more harshly.
This was something the Egyptians did not seem to resist.
This is just one example of the guilt of Egypt and Pharaoh.
It leads to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.
c.
The first
mention of hardening his heart is in the conversation of God with Moses
after his first meeting with Pharaoh.
The LORD tells Moses in Exodus 7:3-4, “And
I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in
the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My
hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel,
out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.”
Then we begin to see the plagues.
At first we read, “And
Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the Lord had
said” (Ex. 7:13). The
first few plagues we find it worded as if Pharaoh is refusing to obey.
(cf. 7:22, 8:19, 32). But as
matters progress, beginning with the 6th
plague, we read, “But the Lord
hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the
Lord had spoken to Moses.” (Ex. 9:12).
After the 7th plague (hail) we read that Moses
entreats it to stop “and the thunder ceased, and he sinned yet more; and he hardened his
heart, he and his servants.
So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of
Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses.” (Ex. 9:34-35)
Following this we read more times which speak of the LORD
hardening his heart (Ex. 10:1, 20, 27, etc.)
SO we see a mixture of Pharaoh hardening his own heart and other
passages that speak of the LORD hardening his heart.
What is the answer?
d.
One possible answer is that
the hardening is all Pharaoh.
His rebellious attitude and hatred toward God are clearly seen in
his dealing with Moses and Israel.
Recall the FIRST incidents show Pharaoh hardening his own heart.
In other words, he WAS stubborn and unyielding.
Have you ever known someone so adamant about something that he will
NEVER change? Even when
shown the truth, he refuses to change. This
is especially true in religious discussions and in politics.
Some are so set in their ways NOTHING will cause them to change.
Even if the Lord Himself were to correct them, they would not
change. (I.e. the Pharisees
and Sadducees of Jesus day). Even when disaster comes he is so
determined to get his way he will allow everything to be destroyed
before he changes his mind.
In fact, the mentioning of something different causes him to tense up
and become bull headed.
Could this describe the attitude
of this Pharaoh?
Arrogant and drunk with power.
No one, especially the “inferior god” of some other nation is
going to move him. He is so
blind with hate and rage he cannot see the destruction around him and he
cannot hear his own people who finally get it.
Thus, even at the mentioning of the LORD, Pharaoh’s stubbornness
caused Him to reject it. It
is possible to say in such a circumstance that the LORD hardened his
heart.
e.
ANOTHER
plausible thought here is to consider how God is all knowing.
He knows not only what is, but what will be (Isa. 46:9-10,
41:22-23). In this, it could
easily be said that God KNOWS the hearts and destinies of men.
He knows WHO will obey Him and who will not.
What if He chooses to USE those who have chosen their own rebellious
destiny and who will under no circumstance repent to accomplish good for
others? Is that not His
sovereign right to do?
The point is God is NOT removing free will from anyone.
But He can use specific events so that His ultimate will is
accomplished.
Consider
Romans 9:14-15 in this discussion.
It deals with the Sovereignty of God.
Notice in the context (9:14-24) it speaks of God revealing His
wrath and goodness and mercy through His judgment.
Knowing all things, God CAN do what He needs to do to accomplish
good! Why not?
f.
There
was actual good that came from these events.
Israel was delivered and learned to trust in God, (though not
loyally). But the WORLD
learned of God’s demand for loyalty and submission to Him.
ALSO, it led to Israel’s deliverance which eventually led to hope
for all us in Jesus.
So God, being omnipotent and omniscient does what is needed to bring
about the availability of salvation for all.
a.
Again, be
careful before you question God.
b.
Many want
to deny the existence of hell.
But it is as real as heaven and we must face that fact (cf. Matt.
25:46, John 5:29, 2 Thess. 1:9, Matt. 10:28, 13:40-42, etc.).
It is remarkable how man wants to accept the idea of a utopian
eternity in heaven, but then he denies the consequence of those who do
not submit to God’s will to get there.
The majority of people who believe in life after death believe they will
go to heaven. Even if they
believe in hell, many rationalize that a just God would not send good
people to hell. And of
course, they are just!
IN 2003 a Barna Survey was conducted about beliefs about after life.
64% believed they would go to heaven, while less than ½ of 1%
believed they would go to hell (others believed they would cease to
exist, reincarnation, etc.)
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/5-barna-update/128-americans-describe-their-views-about-life-after-death
c.
Since hell
DOES exist, (we are assuming you accept this) we need to answer our
questions.
d.
First
consider, God does not send ANYONE to hell.
You CHOOSE to go there!
God does not want you to perish (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4) and He has done everything to make it
possible for you to be saved (cf.
Eph. 2:8-9, Gal. 4:3-4, Romans
6:23). The ONLY
thing He has NOT done is taken away your free will.
Being a free moral agent, He will NOT force you to do anything.
So if you go to hell when this life is over, you cannot blame anyone
else.
One respondent concluded an inquiry similar to the one we are answering
by saying, “There are only two
kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done',
and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'"
Http://answer.yahoo.com
(Question: Why does God allow people to go to hell?)
e.
Eternal
condemnation in hell is the product of sin. It was originally designed
for the devil and his angels (Matt.
25:41).
Rev. 20:10, 13-14 & 21:8
point out that it will also be the eternal abode of the ungodly.
2 Thess. 1:8-9 speaks of
everlasting destruction awaiting “those
who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
f.
Justice
and righteousness demands that He punish the wicked.
i.
How should
God respond to one who is rebellious against Him and refuses to obey?
Should He ignore that rebellion and ungodliness?
Is that fair to those who have done right.
What about those who made life miserable for the godly, even
persecuting and killing some?
ii.
Being a just God, He not only
rewards the righteous, but He holds accountable those who are not.
We find associated with God’s righteousness and justice – wrath and
harsh punishment.
2 Thess. 1:5-8, speaking
of Christians being persecuted, Paul said, “which
is manifest evidence of the
righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the
kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since
it is a righteous thing with God
to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,… in flaming fire taking
vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 2:1-11 is a text
that deals with many these things we are discussing. “Therefore
you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in
whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge
practice the same things. 2 But we know that
the judgment of God is according
to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think
this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the
same, that you
will escape the judgment of
God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and
longsuffering, not knowing that
the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance
with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are
treasuring up for yourself wrath
in the day of wrath and revelation of
the righteous judgment of God,
6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life
to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor,
and immortality; 8 but to those
who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish,
on every soul of man who does
evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor,
and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also
to the Greek. 11 For there is no
partiality with God.“ (emphasis mine – TT).
NOTICE how this text addresses:
1.
I am
responsible for my own conduct
2.
God’s
goodness affords me opportunity to repent
3.
His
righteous judgment means wrath, indignation, tribulation and anguish
toward those who do NOT obey and live in unrighteousness
4.
He will
judge all by the same standard
iii.
Considering these passages, God’s justice (being just), fairness and
righteousness (doing what is right) all DEMAND due punishment for the
wicked.
We know in this world the chaos and inequity that comes from rejection
of these characteristics.
God is neither inconsistent nor unfair.
His very nature demands a harsh punishment to those who reject
Him.
iv.
What
about annihilation?
If He just annihilated them, then in reality they have gotten
away with their sinful rebellion AND mistreatment of His people.
And is that just to those who obeyed Him and were persecuted by
the wicked?
g.
Consider
also that this consequence serves as an incentive to obey Him.
Just like suffering and evil cause this world to be less attractive, so
should the thought of spending eternity in hell.
Though it ought not be the
ultimate driving force of your relationship with God (such would lead to
a miserable and half-hearted life), fear of torments can start you on
the right path toward loving Him.
Matthew 10:28, “…Fear
Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.”
My hope is that such fear will eventually be replaced with love (1 John 4:19).
h.
What about
good people?
Who determines who is good? (Rom. 3:10, Matt. 19:17)
Because we have all sinned, we ALL deserve the wrath and justice of God
(Romans 3:23, 6:23). BUT, in
His love and grace – He provided a way for us to be forgiven.
It is found in the blood of Jesus Christ.
God didn’t have to do this – but He did.
Therein we see the greatness of His love.
OUR part is to CHOOSE to come in contact with that blood.
Fairness is seen it its universal availability!