Pharaoh was hard hearted Ex 4: 21. The Israelites were stiff necked, hard hearted people Ex 32:9. These are all words, in their context, which means they were totally stubborn to obedience to God. The words carry a negative connotation. The always resist God Acts 7: 51, resist his Word. Yet, this can also be a virtue when used positively in obedience of God; Ezek 3: 8... I will make you unyielding, hardened Here God gives to Ezekiel a spirit where he will not give in to the pressure of the people around him and Ezekiel will not give up on the task God has set before him. God so strengthened Ezekiel to be strong emotional, spiritually so that he would not relent to the people around him. It is also to be noted that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Yes, Pharaoh hardened his heart Ex 8: 15 but that is because Ex 9: 12 LORD hardened his heart. So, free choice, because destined to be so hard hearted. But my focus is not the destruction coming for the hard hearted towards God, but rather how God strengthens his people with resolve, tenacity, so that in spite of all the obstacles, they will persevere as they know the LORD has given them that strength not to let go, even when all are against them. Faces and forehead - focus and thoughts; will be with a single minded resolve to obey the LORD. We must have this tenacity in our walk with God - nothing will take us off the path the LORD Jesus has put us on. Unswerving in our commitment. Ezekiel was really up against some hard-headed and hard hearted people. He preached, whether they listened or not Ezek 3: 11b. Isaiah also felt the same tenacity as coming from the LORD Is 50: 7. He set his face like flint, and he knew he would pull through and succeed. Look how strong God made Jer 1: 18 in resolve to do and complete the task allocated to him. A different perspective is Micah 3: 8. But all say the same thing. I will not move off the course God has given me. Wrong roads, wrong choices, are not from God. They are our own sinfulness. Right roads and hard choices are from God, who strengthens us on the road. And as God made Jeremiah, to be literally a city on his own- strong, very strong! He was an iron pillar! A bronze wall! Jer 1: 18. And sometimes you may feel like that - and we should- invincible on the road that YHWH has put us in. Yet, the LORD also gave Jeremiah, you, me Jer 26: 24 - someone is always on our side. There is someone in your life that the LORD will give to make sure you continue on your walk with the LORD. Not easy - but the LORD has his people everywhere in your life. They are a strength to you, as you are a strength to them. Be someone’s strength. Be hard headed, like flint, to be used by God to serve his purposes for you in your life. Rev 12:16 the LORD will protect, help you and make your problem be swallowed up. Until that time, do not give up. Be like flint!
MCC Admin
14 Cheshvan 5781