THE DOCTRINE OF OBDURATION

By Gary Ray Branscome

The word “obdurate” not only describes hardness, but one who is stubbornly wicked, intractable, and unbending in their refusal to repent. We see such a refusal to repent described by the words, “Even though He had done so many miracles in their presence, they did not believe in Him” (John 12:37).

The words, “He [Judas] did not say that because he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and would take what was put into it,” tell us that Judas had a habit of hardening his heart, by excusing his own wrongdoing (John 12:6). The words, “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve,” tell us that because Judas was unrepentant Satan was able to enter into him, hardening his heart even more (Luke 22:3). And, the words, “He threw the pieces of silver down in the temple, and left, and after leaving hung himself,” tell us that because Satan was in control, even when Judas was sorry for what he did he hardened himself more [to excuse self murder] instead of seeking forgiveness (Matthew 27:5). That fact tells us that even though Judas was sorry, his sorrow was not from God. “For godly sorrow results in repentance leading to salvation, not regret: but the sorrow of this world brings death” (2Corinthians 7:10).

Whenever men hear the Word of God, (whether it is through preaching, conscience, or some other source) and close their mind to what it says, either by excusing their sin or shutting it out of their mind, they are hardening their heart. The words of Stephen, “You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you,” speak of men hardening their own hearts in resistance to the Holy Ghost (Acts 7:51). And, the Bible tells us that those who heard Stephen’s words “Were cut to the heart and furious, and they gnashed their teeth because of him” (Acts 7:54). Now, when the Bible tells us that they were, “cut to the heart,” it is telling us that they were convicted of their sin. However, instead of repenting they became, “furious, and they gnashed their teeth,” hardening their hearts in adamant refusal to admit their sin, repent and seek forgiveness.

When God’s Word places someone under conviction, God is working through that Word to bring them to repentance. However, those who harden their hearts time after time can bring upon themselves God’s judgment, which results in God withdrawing His gift of repentance. The words, “With gentleness instructing those who oppose their own interest; in the hope that God will give them repentance bringing them to a realization of the truth,” tell us that repentance is a gift of God (2Timothy 2:25). The words, “They [the scribes and Pharisees] do not do what they say. For they bind heavy burdens that are hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they will not move them with one of their fingers,” reveal that even though the Pharisees warned others to keep the law, they made up excuses to get around it. (Matthew 23:2-4). The words, “He [Jesus] said to them, You completely invalidate the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition. For Moses said, Honor your father and mother; and, Anyone who curses his father or mother, let him be put to death. But you say, If a man will say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is a gift, by which you might profit by me; he shall be free,” give us an example of the kind of excuses they used (Mark 7:9-11). And, the words, “He has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, and repent and turn to me, that I should heal them,” speak of God hardening their hearts as a judgment on them (John 12:40). But, even though the Bible speaks of this hardening as an act of God, it is the devil that carries it out. God simply gives them up to his control. As it is written, “The minds of those who do not believe have been blinded by the god of this world, that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, might not reach them” (2Corinthians 4:4).

The words, “God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves, for they changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women exchanged the natural use for that which is contrary to nature,” speak of God rejecting those who have rejected Him (Romans 1:24-26). As long as one worships God, even without understanding the Gospel, the Holy Spirit is at work stirring up their conscience as a call to repentance. And, their conscience keeps them from committing many sins. But, when they turn to a false god, God gives them up.

The words, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh will not listen to you, then I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring the multitudes of my people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments,” are speaking of a Pharaoh who had already hardened his heart against God by his devotion to false gods (Exodus 7:3). Therefore, the words “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart” are not telling us that God hardened Pharaoh against salvation. All they say is that God hardened him against letting God’s people go. After the first plague, Pharaoh could have told the Israelites to go. But, God continually hardened Pharaoh so He could reveal His power. And, although it is doubtful, after seeing that power displayed Pharaoh could have rejected the false gods of Egypt. At least, some of the Egyptian people may have accepted the God of Israel. We do not know, but God loves mercy and He does not cause anyone to be damned. Even though those who are saved are saved by grace alone, those who are lost are lost by their own fault. [Compare John 6:44 with Matthew 23:37.]