Exodus 4:21 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

So many objections vain and carnal men have in all ages brought against the hardening of Pharaoh's heart; that I wish the Reader, be who he may, to pause once for all over this account of it, and consider seriously the justice, as well as the wisdom, displayed in it. Every man by nature since the fall is averse to divine things and, if this aversion be not removed by Almighty grace, becomes more and more so in proportion as the demonstrations of God's sovereignty are brought before the hardened heart; so that it may be truly said, God hardens the heart by every renewed instance which he displays. Hence the miracles which Moses at God's command wrought before Pharaoh, tended but to this purpose. So that while the children of Israel felt more convinced in every succeeding miracle, that the Lord was about to deliver them; Pharaoh and his people became more callous to conviction. Just as the same heat which melts the wax until it be dissolved, when applied to the clay tends only to harden it the more. See those scriptures. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Hebrews 3:12-13; Isaiah 6:9-10; Romans 11:5-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; Romans 1:28-32.