Exodus 9-11

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage. Every time I read about the 10 plagues I'm bother by one phrase that is repeated throughout the confrontation. This is the phrase; "God hardened Pharoh's heart." How could God continue to allow Pharoh free will while still hardening his heart? I think God hardened Pharoh's heart by continuing to challenge Pharoh's authority. Considered by many a god Pharoh was not accustomed to being challenged or questioned by anyone; even another god. After a few years of such treatment Pharoh's ego was much larger than he was capable of supporting. The fact that God repeatedly challenged Pharoh led the man's ego to harden his heart. As God spoke Pharoh chose to refuse the command, not a request, to allow Israel to travel and worship. God hardened Pharoh's heart because he knew the nature of man, and the response of a powerful man like Pharoh.
Stuart