Exodus 17:1-7 Hardened Hearts and Stiff Necks – audio

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Text: Exodus 17:1-7

Introduction

While in college, a Bible professor called me “Dr. Dillon.” I may not be a physical doctor by any means, but can easily identify two common diseases: hardened hearts and stiffened necks. These are very common in the Old Testament.

Body

I. Hardened hearts

A. The children of Israel had hardened hearts as they wondered in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4; 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13).

B. The LORD told Ezekiel about Israel’s hardened hearts (Ezekiel 3:7-9).

C. Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were removed from their kingdoms because of hardened hearts (Daniel 5:18-23).

D. The priests questioned the Philistines regarding their hardness of hearts, just as Pharaoh and the Egyptians (1 Samuel 6:6; Exodus 7-14).

1) Pharaoh at times hardened his heart.

2) The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart other times. “God hardens the heart when He withdraws influences of His Spirit from men, and leaves them to pursue their own corrupt inclinations (Webster).”

II. Stiffened necks

A. Israel and Judah had stiffened necks, and the LORD led them captive to Assyria (2 Kings 17:13-17).

B. King Hezekiah encouraged some not to be stiff-necked as their fathers were (2 Chronicles 30:8).

C. King Zedekiah stiffened his neck before the LORD (2 Chronicles 36:11-13).

III. Applications

A. Calamity befalls those who harden their hearts and stiffen their necks before the LORD (Proverbs 28:14; 29:1).

B. Great wrath from the LORD will come upon them (Zechariah 7:11-14; Romans 2:5-6).

C. They will not enter into the LORD’s eternal rest (Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-15).

Conclusion

God shows us the Remedy, but we have to apply it.

Do you have a hardened heart?

Soften, or humble, it before God. Humble yourself, and God will lift you up (James 4:7-10).

Do you have a stiff neck?

Loosen it so as to encourage your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (Luke 15:20; Acts 20:37-38; Romans 16:3-4).