This topic of “hardening” is too important to hurry by, so let’s take another look in the Book.
In the Bible, humans are often pictured as vessels (Jer 18:1-6; Acts 9:15; Rom 9:21-23; 2 Cor 4:7; 2 Tim 2:20-21). Three ideas are emphasized: the importance of a vessel is its contents, not the vessel itself; the maker or owner of the vessel has control over the vessel to use it as he chooses; and there are different kinds of vessels for different purposes. Generally a vessel in Scripture is an illustration of service, not salvation. Note in the case of Pharaoh, we saw in our last study God’s purpose for using him: “that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth” (Ex 9:16). Paul’s point in discussing Pharaoh in Romans 9 is not to talk about whether he was eternally saved or not. God’s purpose, not just for Pharaoh, or the Jewish nation, but for all humanity, is the same. Get the word out that God is wonderful so others will trust Him too! Here’s the intro to Ps 8, “O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth…! Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger” (vv 1-2). But here’s the question: Suppose those chosen vessels reject God’s oft-repeated gracious entreaties? What then? Does God fail because they fail to respond? No! If Pharaoh refuses to be a vessel for God’s mercy (the way Nebuchadnezzar and Saul of Tarsus responded, for example), God will still use him, but as a vessel of His wrath to cause others to take God seriously! Did it work? Yes! We will see that the way God poured out His wrath on Pharaoh is the most beautiful picture in the Old Testament of Calvary’s Cross and, because of it, thousands have fled from God’s wrath to safety in the shed blood of Heaven’s Lamb.