Intensity Structure

How can the LORD ascribe sin to humans if He Himself hardens their hearts in order to resist His will? This investigation was directed to find a tentative answer to the paradoxical story of the hardening of Pharaoh¿s heart. Various approaches to this phenomenon of hardening were explored. Among these views the most common are: (1) the LORD hardened Pharaoh¿s heart, (2) Pharaoh hardened his own heart, and (3) the LORD and Pharaoh played a part in the process of the hardening. None of these approaches were found to be fully satisfactory, and no scholarly consensus has emerged in dealing with the problem.This revelation of an ¿Intensity Structure¿ tentatively offers a new approach to the understanding of the story of Pharaoh¿s heart hardening.The LORD started with a pacific message for Pharaoh, but Pharaoh refused to hear the LORD¿s command. Then the LORD increased His power and became severe against Pharaoh, but Pharaoh became more obstinate, and the LORD had to act in an overwhelming manner with Pharaoh. After the heavy/overwhelming treatment of the LORD against Pharaoh, he let the people go out of Egypt.