[annalex]

Is hardening of heart equivalent to making Pharaoh kill the Jews? The very metaphore suggests that the decision was Pharaoh's.

[HarleyD]

The very metaphore suggests that the decision was Pharaoh's.

What precise roll did God play?

[HarleyD]

The very metaphore suggests that the decision was Pharaoh's.

Under you soteriology it becomes a "metaphore". God has no action or part except to acquiese to Pharaoh's decision? Yet He specifically states:

Exo 14:4 "Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." And they did so.

The reason God hardened Pharaoh's heart was so that God could reveal Himself.

There is no "metaphore" in any of this. What most people do to explain the God of the Old Testament is 1) to ignore the Old Testament or 2) reduce it down to moral stories which is what you are doing.

Sorry. God interacted with people in the Old Testament exactly the same way as in the New. There is no difference. He's in charge and He'll do what He pleases. I happened to believe both conditions are true, that God and Pharaoh both hardened Pharaoh's heart.