When in Moses’ day God’s appointed time had come... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them. But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
Exodus 8:15; 9:12

When in Moses' day God's appointed time had come, he led the Israelites out of Egypt after centuries of slavery. The king of Egypt had resisted the intention with all his might. He did not want to lose this cheap form of slave labour. God therefore brought ten plagues over the land. Every time Pharaoh was at his wits' end, he gave way, promising to allow the people to go. But as soon as the plague was past, he hardened his heart and withdrew his promise.

Finally the unexpected happened. It was God who hardened Pharaoh's heart. Now the king had no choice. God had closed the door, as it were. Pharaoh found his end in the Red Sea with his entire army.

Things can go so far with us, too. "He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29, 1). But it does not happen before God, in His longsuffering, has granted sufficient opportunity for us to turn to Him. "Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?" says the LORD God, "and not that he should turn from his ways and live?" (Ezekiel 18, 23).

Many have already vowed to dedicate their life to God, if He would help in cases of illness or threatening death. Few of them, however, have kept their promise, after the trouble passed. The example of Pharaoh is a warning for us against hardening our heart towards God.