Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
God used the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart to evangelize the world.
Sunday, January 4, 2004
Scar tissue of the soul, also known as hardness of the heart, is the result of prolonged residence and function inside the cosmic system.
Scar tissue of the soul is that spiritual disorder of involvement in the cosmic system resulting in total loss of momentum, and eventuating in the most awful discipline from God.
ROM 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.”
JOS 2:10-11 – Rahab the harlot was converted through the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart.
In the first five plagues, Pharaoh hardened his own heart. After these, God permitted him to live for the next five plagues. Pharaoh had many opportunities to change his mind, EXO 7:22; EXO 8:15, 32, 9:34-35.
1) Liberation of the Jews from slavery, in order to form a client nation to God.
2) Evangelization of Egypt, EXO 7:3-5.
3) Evangelization of the world, EXO 9:16.
Paul compares the Jews of the First Advent and Church-age with Pharaoh, to demonstrate that their negative volition and hardness of heart at the time of our Lord broke Pharaoh’s record, Rom 9-11.
JOH 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
In BC 1441, the world’s record for scar tissue of the soul was held by historical degeneracy found in the Pharaoh of the Exodus.
The Lord said in effect, “I have caused you to continue in history.”
When we find ourselves in jeopardy, whether personal, national, or international, these things are permitted to continue in history that the power of God may be demonstrated.
1. The evangelism of the unbeliever.
2. The spiritual growth of the believer, including for some a wake-up call.
PSA 76:10 – God uses the wrath of man to praise Him.
By means of the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart and the scar tissue of his soul, God is going to demonstrate His power in such a way that it will have an effect on two entire generations.
Doctrine of heathenism = if anyone in any part of the world, no matter how geographically isolated, at the point of God consciousness expresses in his soul a desire to know God and have a relationship with God, then God will provide, some way and somehow, that information.
Apparently there was such a situation in the time of Pharaoh Amenhotep II and Pharaoh Thutmose III.
Instead of God using the Internet, or satellite radio, or television, he used the hardness of one man’s heart to get the gospel message and His power throughout this region.
PRO 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.
JOB 21:30 For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; they will be led forth at the day of fury.
PSA 76:10 for the wraths of man shall praise Thee.
Jerusalem translation –
Man’s wrath only adds to Your glory;
He used the evil and the wickedness of the self-righteous Pharisees toward the woman caught in adultery to reveal His glory to the world, JOH 8:1-11.
GEN 50:20 – the evil and jealousy of Joseph’s brothers.
The Lord will use the hardness of an unbeliever’s heart and the hardness of a believer’s heart to bring glory to Himself.
Inevitably the Lord will be glorified even when men perform the greatest evil which they are capable of performing.
2CO 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
One of the most fascinating things that will ever come to us in heaven is to see history strictly from the divine viewpoint.
A crisis or a tragedy could be one of the greatest blessings in the world.
MAT 27:29 And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
JOH 15:20 A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;
MAR 15:32 “Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And those who were crucified with Him were casting the same insult at Him.
But all their slandering does not change a thing,
“For even at this very hour if the Father pleases, Kings shall bow and adore, And nations kneel down before Him, And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
PHI 2:10-11, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.