The Hebrew of 3:19 reads "I know that the king of ...

2005-11-21T13:05:00.000-05:00

The Hebrew of 3:19 reads "I know that the king of Egypt will not let him go, not even by a mighty hand" (see NET Bible). The other English versions take their cue from the LXX which has "except" (see NIV, ESV, NLT). So (if the Masoretic text is correct) Yahweh is making an overstatement, "I know Pharaoh; Pharaoh is too thick-skulled to let them go even under supernatural compulsion."

As far as the Arminian is concerned, I would appeal to them as Christian theists by showing them the following context. Most of them would be unwilling to say that God's plan changes. If they are being reasonable it would seem obvious that God didn't first perceive Pharaoh's stubbornness then try to figure out how he could turn it to his glory. Pharaoh's stubbornness was part of God's (at least omniscient if not sovereign) plan to begin with.

Now Socinians (I am assuming you mean those who believe that God does not know future contingencies) would be harder nuts to crack. For them God is constantly revising his plans in response to man's reactions. Perhaps I would ask them if it would be honest for Yahweh to make statements about what Pharaoh would do in the future if, in fact, he didn't know for sure what Pharaoh's reaction to Moses' request would be.

It is interesting to me how 3:19 plays into the ha...

2005-11-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

It is interesting to me how 3:19 plays into the hardening account. God says something like: "I know Pharoah will let you go only if I force him." I can foresee (ha!) our Arminian/Socinian friends running away with this phrase.
What think ye?

Comments on Pitts' Sp•t: God's Plan Cannot Fail

The Hebrew of 3:19 reads "I know that the king of ...

It is interesting to me how 3:19 plays into the ha...