My honest review of Christianity

[Jenny A]

Yes Pharaoh's actions are unbelievable (but then the whole Exodus story is unbelievable). However giving the historical accuracy of the story pass for the moment:

You can't have it both ways. Either Pharaoh has a will of his own and "god hardened his heart" is a metaphor. Or god merely made use of the Pharaoh's stubbornness in which case god is lying when he says:

"for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his officials, in order that I may show these signs of mine."

Either god took away pharaoh's free will, or god lied. Which is it?

My interpretation is that it's in the mindset and language of the writer. God knew what Pharaoh would do, and that in turn, would fit in to his plan to free the Israelites from captivity. The quoted verses definitely say that Pharaoh sinned and made the decision, showing his free will in the matter. It would be hard to imagine Moses, or whoever wrote the passages, portraying God as a liar. That's my take on it.

Yes, but that's not what god said, "for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his officials, in order that I may show these signs of mine among them, 2 and that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I have made fools of the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them—so that you may know that I am the Lord."

Doesn't sound like free will to me.