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The God Who Is
"And Pharoah called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, `Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.' And Moses said, `It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us.'
"And Pharoah said, `I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me.' And Moses said, `Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharoah, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow: but let not Pharoah deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD.' "And Moses went out from Pharoah, and entreated the LORD. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharoah, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. And Pharoah hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go" (Exodus 8:15-32).
Pharoah was conscious of hardening his heart, but the Lord had already said that He would harden Pharaoh's heart.
Again, in Romans chapter 9, note verses 15-18. Paul writes, "For he saith to Moses, `I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.' So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharoah, `Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.' Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."
THE MISSION OF ISAIAH
The Lord said to the prophet Isaiah, "Go, and tell this people, `Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.' Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed" (Isaiah 6:9,10).
THOSE APPOINTED TO BE DISOBEDIENT
Peter testified, "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed" (I Peter 2:7,8).
The Universality Of Providence
The providence of God is universal. "He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.
"The trees of the LORD are full of sap: the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. "The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. "He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. "Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. "These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. "I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 104:10-11,14,16-21,27-30,33-35).
The Objects Of His Providence
The providence of God is directed for the benefit of His people. In I Timothy chapter 4, we read in verse 10, "For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe." God "saves" or "delivers" both saints and sinners in times of danger, but He is the author of eternal salvation only for them who believe. God is pleased to direct His providence with His people in mind. Therefore, Christians should direct their attention primarily toward those of the household of faith. Paul exhorts us, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).