Topical Bible: The Afflictions of the Wicked: Frequently Harden

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The concept of the wicked experiencing afflictions that lead to a hardening of their hearts is a recurring theme in the Bible. This hardening is often portrayed as both a consequence of their actions and a divine judgment. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how the afflictions of the wicked can result in a hardened heart, further alienating them from God.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart: One of the most prominent examples is Pharaoh during the Exodus narrative. Despite witnessing the plagues and the power of God, Pharaoh's heart was repeatedly hardened. 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 served to demonstrate God's power and fulfill His purposes, even as it led to further afflictions upon Egypt.

2. The Stubbornness of Israel: The Israelites themselves experienced a form of hardening due to their disobedience and idolatry. In Isaiah 6:9-10 , God instructs the prophet, "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 hardening was a judgment upon their persistent rebellion and refusal to heed God's commands.

3. The Reprobate Mind: In the New Testament, Paul speaks of those who, due to their wickedness, are given over to a reprobate mind. Romans 1:28 states, "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." This passage highlights the spiritual and moral decline that accompanies a hardened heart, resulting from persistent sin and rejection of God.

4. The Parable of the Sower: Jesus' parable of the sower also touches on the theme of hardening. In Matthew 13:19 , He explains, "When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path." The hardened path represents those whose hearts are impervious to the Word due to their own spiritual resistance and the influence of evil.

Theological Implications

The hardening of the wicked's hearts through afflictions serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. It underscores the biblical principle that persistent disobedience can lead to spiritual insensitivity and separation from divine grace. This hardening is both a natural consequence of sin and an act of divine judgment, illustrating the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of repentance.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

The afflictions that lead to a hardened heart serve as a warning to all believers about the dangers of sin and the importance of maintaining a soft and receptive heart towards God. Hebrews 3:13 exhorts, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This call to mutual encouragement and vigilance highlights the need for a community of faith to guard against the hardening effects of sin.

In summary, the afflictions of the wicked that result in a hardened heart are a profound biblical theme that illustrates the interplay between human sinfulness and divine judgment. Through these examples and teachings, Scripture calls believers to remain vigilant, repentant, and open to God's transformative work in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Translated from Latin of Rufinus.
... for kindness to their slaves, are frequently accustomed to ... to blame for your perverse
and wicked habits, because ... and, after enduring his afflictions to satiety ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/translated from latin of rufinus.htm

On the Righteousness and Efficacy of the Providence of God ...
... of these, the Pharisees and Scribes were frequently prevented from ... (Genesis 1:20,
21.) By the afflictions which were ... passages: "The rod of the wicked shall not ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 9 on the righteousness.htm

The Resurrection of Lazarus
... only with this material difference, those afflictions which harden ... the enmity of
our desperately wicked hearts rise ... the very best of us frequently tempted, in ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the resurrection of lazarus.htm

Repentance unto Life
... One is, they frequently think they must have deep, horrible ... taken with him seven
others more wicked than himself ... In pains and afflictions I have been praying and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/repentance unto life.htm

The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted.
... in due order, when, though the wicked are bound ... flesh, by which faith itself is
frequently stifled. ... himself, tries them for a season with various afflictions. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the arguments usually.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
... For this reason also the wicked one dragged Judas out of ... But frequently now when
we see a king, attended by ... if the blessed Paul called such afflictions as thou ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

Christian Behavior
... strength; enemies in their minds by wicked works, and ... run through so many trials,
afflictions, and adversities ... end, he ought diligently and frequently to lay ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christian behavior.htm

The Westminster Confession of Faith. AD 1647.
... As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a ... whereby it comes to pass that
they harden themselves, even ... This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in ...
/.../the westminster confession of faith.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... arose." The writings of church history frequently make mention ... the tares or children
of the wicked one ... in fastings, in necessities, in afflictions, in distresses ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... 5 God (saith Martyr) doth incline and force the wills of wicked men into ... is scarcely
found any other article of the Christian faith so frequently, so plainly ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm