“As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:17

The Calvinists rationalize that God’s absolute sovereignty demands that God determines predetermined the fate of every individual – you might think you choose to follow Christ, but you are only doing what God decided for you to do. When studying Romans 9, the Calvinists say that God has every right to make a person to disbelieve.

The problem these people have is that God hardened all of Egypt, not just the Pharaoh. This Calvinism is a doctrine that makes God unjust to an entire nation according to Calvinist doctrine! It makes unbelief something that is decided for the one who does not believe. Ask yourself how God could judge the unbeliever for not believing?

Here’s the truth. God wants everyone to be saved, but He doesn’t make people believe. To do that would nullify the need for faith and love. Because God wants us to trust and love Him, He will not make people be good or be evil. Everyone is going to give an accountable for the choice they made.

But doesn’t the Bible say God hardened Pharaoh’s and the hearts of the Egyptians? Yes it does, but how can God harden people without taking away their free will? He did it then the way He does it now. Have you not read in 1 Corinthians that God does not appeal to men with signs and human wisdom? Carnally inclined men are personally insulted and arrogant to hear that the Creator of the universe is calling to men through the cross! God hardens men’s hearts through the Gospel “6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory”, and “God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” 1 Cor. 2:6-8; 1:21.

God will not appeal to you through pride or money or fame. God will not appeal to you in the way the world would. This way is the wisdom of God and it hardens those who hear the message, whether the message is “repent and be baptized” or “Let my people go.”

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