Hard Hearted?
The Bible uses the term “heart” in a number of different ways. We can see the “heart” defined in context as the “center” in Exodus 15:8 as the great joy of the delivered Israelites burst forth in song. And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. Later, when the Holy garments of the high priest were being described in Exodus 28:30, the Urim and the Thummin was to be worn “upon Aaron’s heart”, indicating above the physical heart. And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually. There may be other ways in which the Word of God utilizes the term heart.
However, in most cases, the “heart” in the Bible refers to the mind. This is never more clear than in the first use of the word heart in the Bible. As man began to increase on earth, Genesis 6:5 shows that man’s “heart” (mind) had become obsessed with malevolence. And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. We find that heart means mind through the remainder of the Holy scriptures. There is the willing heart, sorrowful heart, discouraged heart, upright heart, astonished heart, joyful and glad heart, trembling heart, foolish heart and more. All of these things begin in the mind.
Many other words are used to describe the thoughts, ideas, and emotions of the mind of man which bring about his actions. Perhaps the saddest of these is the hard hearted. Most would think that the “hard hearted” people would be those like the wicked folks of Noah’s day which perished in the flood. Those hearts were indeed “hard”, but they are not the only ones. Some of God’s own people were guilty of this.
In Ezekiel 3:4-7 it is clear that God, in speaking to the prophet, was telling him to go to God’s people, Israel. God Himself identified His people as those suffering from hardness of heart. And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. 5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; 6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. 7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.
It is important to note that not every Israelite was hard-hearted. Down through Israel’s history, there were always some who were diligent in their service and dedication to God. Solomon was very aware that his father David was faithful to God and he started out that way. In 1Kings 3:6 we read what Solomon said to the Lord in his dream about his father which proved that the heart of David was not “hard”. This also explains the opposite of hardness of heart. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Shortly afterward, we see that Solomon himself (at that time) did not possess a hard heart because of what he asked in verse 9. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? This pleased the Lord. Unfortunately, even Solomon allowed his heart to become hardened when he followed his wives instead of God.
After Christ had been resurrected, (still O.T. times), He reproached His apostles for allowing disbelief to harden their hearts. In Mark 16:14 we have this record. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. Just after this, He presented the “Great Commission”, which applied to them as well as to us, and cannot be carried out by those with hardened hearts. If the apostles of Jesus Christ, His ambassadors, could be afflicted by this human condition, how can we not think we too could suffer this? They had seen and been with the Christ. Remember what Jesus said to Thomas in John 20:29 when he didn’t believe? Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Even Christians must protect themselves from this malady. The Spirit had Paul write in Romans 2:5-9 to tell the outcome of hard heartedness as well as obedience. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Hardness of heart will bring the “wrath of God” upon your soul. On the other hand, “patient continuance in well doing” (obedience) yields eternal life. How’s your heart? Is it hardened?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
