Ezekiel 2: 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day. 4 For they are impudent children and stiff-hearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.
Another important question as it pertains to the hardening or softening of one’s heart is, what will be the ramifications for those of us who are tasked with the preaching of the everlasting gospel? Believe it or not, it was facts and the truth that God used which resulted in hardening pharaoh’s heart. God only deals in truth, so, it is our response to truth which determines whether or not a person’s heart would be hardened.
If we were to place mortar in direct sunlight it would naturally harden, but if we were to put butter in the same sunlight, it will melt, and therefore, the materials in question are what ultimately determine the end result of either softening or hardening.
As it pertains to the presentation of truth in all ages, God often sends His servants on missions that will meet with much stubborn resistance from those He is trying to save, and the reason He will send them anyway is because there are many instances where the results have been favorable.
Ezekiel 2:5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. 6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!