Book of Exodus - Chapter 10 - Verse 1

God spoke to Moses, instructing him to go to Pharaoh despite knowing that Pharaoh's heart had been hardened. This hardening of Pharaoh's heart was done by God himself, as well as the hearts of Pharaoh's servants, to display his power through the signs and wonders he would perform before them. By hardening their hearts, God ensured that Pharaoh would not easily let the Israelites go, allowing God to demonstrate his authority and might through the miraculous signs that were to follow. Through these signs, God would not only show his power to Pharaoh and his servants but also to the Israelites and to all those who would later read these accounts. This verse demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over all things, including the hearts of individuals, and highlights his ability to use even the stubbornness of Pharaoh for his divine purposes.

In this verse, we see an example of God hardening Pharaoh's heart, along with the hearts of his servants. This theological concept raises questions about free will and God's sovereignty. Some interpret this passage as God actively hardening Pharaoh's heart as part of His plan to demonstrate His power and glory through the signs and wonders that were to come. Others believe that God simply allowed Pharaoh's heart to harden as a natural consequence of his own stubbornness and pride. The word "hardened" used here in Hebrew is "chazaq" which can also mean "strengthened" - indicating that God wasn't necessarily forcing Pharaoh to resist, but rather giving Pharaoh the strength to persist in his disobedience. Regardless of the interpretation, this passage prompts us to reflect on the tension between God's will and human choice, as well as the deeper layers of meaning in His actions throughout history.