Pharaoh was a proud man, a god unto himself and to his people in Egypt where God’s own people had been turned into slaves. And what does God think of that? “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you”. Pharaoh was followed by an entire nation. His word was law. He would not hear the truth about God’s people when it was finally revealed to him in God’s timing through His servant Moses. He had effectively hardened his own heart as a free will agent. One who as scripture makes clear had been given as has every man a measure of faith according to Paul in the book of Romans .

For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

Pharaoh did not need God’s blessing. He stood against truth, against the God of Israel who is truth. This happened over, and over, and over; and finally God Himself, the Great I Am permanently hardened his heart, and there was no turning back. He was lost in a reprobate mindset without sight and without hearing. Pharaoh had chosen his path.

Soon after, and ongoing for many years this same Israel, who witnessed these things, underwent this same happening. First to its people then to its priests, elders and kings — the Sanhedrin receiving the final hardening blow from God, blinded that they would not see, deafened that they would not hear; otherwise they would turn and be healed.

Will this possibly happen to the stubborn of a mostly Gentile Church, who refuse to hear, just before Christ returns — will this happen just as it happened unto all but the remnant in Israel? — Not all Israel was lost mind you. There were some priests; and an elder or two members of the Sanhedrin; there were thousands among the people. Some fishermen, some tax collectors, some merchants and farmers, who heard and saw The Truth and turned to follow Him —- Yeshua.

But those who were previously resistant in Israel, God hardened. They were proud men. They claimed to be of service to the God of Abraham, they were His representatives to the people, and the people heard and followed. They had the word, but had continuously rejected many of its truths. Is there a parallel here to our day? A day when a break out of revival is desperately needed among not only the sin sick of this world, but also within the church itself. When and if revival comes will it leave behind a hardened leadership of, and a people with itching ears? Will those very people who think that they stand today as in that day long ago find themselves lost in an unbelieving mind set; and unable to see or hear truth so that they could turn and be healed? Will this happen to them because they have refused God’s truth today?

Why is Truth important to us and to God. You shall know the truth and it shall set you free. Thy word is truth oh God. Jesus said”I am the Truth”.

If one ceases believing the truth or picks up an untruth not based on the word and makes it foundational to his/her belief system; then one becomes hardened to the truth of God’s word. If he continues in that state of unbelief even when God sends His servants to inform him, then won’t that heart further be harden. And if one continues to believe a lie, God Himself will harden that heart with no turning back. Then they will be as a branch in danger of being cut from the Olive tree to be burned. All this will again happen because of unbelief in the very words of God contained in the very Scriptures that they profess to believe. Why did you say this would happen Paul?

Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Romans 11:20-21 KJV

Who are the high minded? Are they those who stubbornly deny the revealed Truth in unbelief?

Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts]. James 3:10 AMP

Those of us who are led to blog concerning the things of our Lord need a profound respect for His precepts. I see this respect every day among many of those I follow. And I let them know. But I also see those who are not teachable who refuse to accept all of God’s word. If we are to be children who respect His precepts we must examine ourselves lest we be found unteachable by His Holy Spirit who resides within. Grieve not His Spirit.

Men who tout the types and shadows contained in the Old Testament often overlook one very important lesson. That lesson is Israel herself and her falling away from God’s True presented in their Messiah. They missed Him — the Truth, The Word contained in their own Scriptures. But before they missed Him, they were already missing the other Truths of God’s word. Paul says:

Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11 AMP

Many today have lost all connection to their Jewish roots, and by so doing they build their foundation on sand rather than on the rock. They completely segregate themselves from Israel and even though Paul says what he says here not to cause us to doubt our faith in Israel’s Messiah, but to cause us not to follow in her stubborn ways; still they do as she did, Peter warns in one place they do it to their own possible destruction, as they twist the words that the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul, and ignore the truths he teaches.

Wrong beliefs will lead many into destruction at the end of this age? Mans unmet expectations are often the root cause of a deep seated anger toward God. If God does not perform as men expect concerning the coming Tribulation what will be the response? perhaps a great falling away as prophesied by both Messiah and the Apostle Paul. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. His word is the road map and the warning to mankind of all that is to come. We are to follow Him and by so doing His Holy Spirit leads us.

put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day. Truth is one important part of that Armor. Jesus is Truth; God’s Word is Truth. Jesus is the Word made flesh.

When Tribulation comes, God’s word tells us that mankind who has rejected His Christ, His Word, His Truth; will be given over to a reprobate mind just as he had done with Pharaoh.