Well the quick answer is ‘yes’, for they are both true.
The context of course is the book of Exodus, specifically the revelation of God in the ten plagues against the nation of Egypt in order to bring about the redemption of Israel from bondage.
Walt Kaiser observes the following concerning the hardening:
“In all there are ten places where ‘hardening’ of Pharaoh is ascribed to God (4.21; 7.3; 9.12; 10.1, 20, 27; 11.10; 14.4, 8, 17). But it must be stated just as firmly that Pharaoh hardened his own heart in another ten passages (7.13, 14, 22; 8.15, 19, 32; 9.7, 34, 35; 13.15). Thus the hardening was as much Pharaoh’s own act as it was the work of God. Even more significant is the fact that Pharaoh alone was the agent of the hardening in the first sing and in all the first five plagues. Not until the sixth plague was it stated that God actually moved in and hardened Pharaoh’s heart (9.12), as he had warned Moses in Midian that he would have to do [4.21].”
So we see God actively acting in hardening Pharaoh’s heart, while also the unmitigated responsibility of Pharaoh in the matter, who also hardens his own heart.
Well how did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? God simply revealed himself. He revealed his power and supremacy through the signs and wonders of the plagues. It was this revelation of God that hardened his heart.
Some say it is not fair that God hardened his heart. Well God revealed himself to Pharaoh through the signs and this light hardened his heart. It is a biblical axiom that revelation devoid of illuminating grace hardens sinful hearts. As others have said, ‘the same sun that melts the wax can harden the clay.’ You may be thinking of John 8.45 where Jesus said, “But because I speak the truth you do not believe me”.
So we come back to the old and familiar issue of unbelief. The primary reason for a hard and unbelieving heart is not God and his choice not to dispense saving grace/faith, rather, the impediment to life and the cause of a hard heart is persistent personal sin.
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