Topical Bible: Afflictions and Adversities of the Wicked: Frequently Harden

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In the biblical narrative, the afflictions and adversities experienced by the wicked often serve to harden their hearts rather than lead them to repentance. This hardening is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, illustrating the spiritual blindness and obstinacy that can result from persistent sin and rebellion against God.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of how the wicked respond to divine judgment with increased hardness of heart. One of the most prominent examples is Pharaoh during the Exodus narrative. Despite witnessing the mighty acts of God through the plagues, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart, refusing to let the Israelites go. Exodus 9:12 states, "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had told Moses." This hardening serves as a demonstration of God's sovereignty and the consequences of persistent rebellion.

The prophets also speak to the hardening of the wicked. In Isaiah 6:9-10 , God instructs the prophet Isaiah to deliver a message that will result in the people's hearts being hardened: "Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes." This passage highlights the judicial hardening that occurs as a result of continued disobedience.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the spiritual consequences of rejecting the truth. In Romans 1:21-24 , the Apostle Paul describes how those who reject God are given over to a depraved mind: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another."

The hardening of the heart is also evident in the response of the religious leaders to Jesus' ministry. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, many of the Pharisees and Sadducees remained obstinate. In John 12:37-40 , it is written, "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: 'Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?' For this reason they were unable to believe. For again, Isaiah says: 'He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.'"

Theological Implications

The hardening of the wicked's hearts in response to afflictions and adversities underscores the biblical teaching on human depravity and the need for divine intervention. It illustrates the peril of resisting God's grace and the spiritual blindness that can ensue from a life of sin. This hardening is not merely a passive state but often a judicial act of God in response to persistent unbelief and rebellion.

The Scriptures consistently warn against the dangers of a hardened heart, urging individuals to seek repentance and turn to God. Hebrews 3:12-13 admonishes believers, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

In summary, the afflictions and adversities of the wicked frequently result in a hardened heart, serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's truth and grace.

Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 9:28,29
But after they had rest, they did evil again before you: therefore left you them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried to you, you heard them from heaven; and many times did you deliver them according to your mercies;
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Jeremiah 5:3
O LORD, are not your eyes on the truth? you have stricken them, but they have not grieved; you have consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
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Christian Behavior
... grace, without strength; enemies in their minds by wicked works, and ... that they have
run through so many trials, afflictions, and adversities, even because ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

part ii
... there breathes an earthly spirit, frequently impious, whilst ... was he deprived by his
wicked and intentional ... with great privations and afflictions; and, therefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm