KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 12:40 KJV” He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.’

The Bible is an amazing book that uses certain terms and expressions that ought to be looked at carefully and critically before concluding on its meaning This could be realised by comparing other verses and passages to arrive at a clear reasonable truth The bible on many occasions, should not be interpreted by using just a verse. Isa 28:13 KJV “But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” Scripture is well understood as one whole, it goes from precept to precept, then line upon line. It considers here a little, and there a little. In this way, you are able to appreciate the truth of various subjects and even doctrines.

On our topic of discussion, we are considering whether God hardens the heart of men, from believing the truth. When Job the righteous man lost everything, he possessed, including his children, he said that God has given, and He has taken, blessed be His name. Job 1:21.Was it God who gave him, all his riches? Yes, of cause. Was it the Lord who took away all that He gave Job; and the answer is a definite no. What part did the Lord play, in all the calamities? That happened to Job. God only permitted Satan to execute what he requested from Him. If we were not privy to the events happening behind the scenes, we would have accepted that God gave and He had equally taken away. God only granted permission to Satan, yet it was given as He had given and taken.

In Romans chapter one, when the scriptures were referring to the wrath of God, towards those who held the truth in unrighteousness. The said people changed the glory of God to animals and all kinds of things. The following is God’s judgment for them. Rom 1:24 KJV” Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:” He allowed them to go ahead with their error.  This scripture could have said that God hardened their hearts.

We saw that God’s way of punishing them, was to allow them to be destroyed by their own evil desires because they would not accept the thought of God in their dealings. When the scripture used the phrase, and God hardened their hearts so they could not be healed, from our explanations above God, rather permitted them, to continue in their wrong sinful ways, and as a result, they could not avail themselves to be healed. Remember the scripture said there is no evil in God. He tempts no one. This means He does not cause any to sin. He cannot compromise His righteous ways. The bible says God is light and there is no darkness in Him. There is not a single evil with Him. Any suggesting of an evil act has nothing to do with God.

Compare 2 Sam 24:1 with 1 Chronicles 21:1. In the first instant, scripture was presented that God moved David to number Israel.1 Chronicles gives the one who really moved David to number them. God only allowed Satan to do so.  One has to study the bible as a whole to clear himself of supposed contradictory statements.

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord, for your unchanging nature. There is no error or evil in you. How glorious are your ways. All good and perfect things come from you. You have shown us your ways through your word. I study your word in a very systematic way to unearth the hidden meanings. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

FURTHER STUDIES

2Tim 2:15 KJV” Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Isaiah 28:10 KJV” For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little”: