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STUDY 360

Text: Proverbs 29
18 May 2008

Dear Parents,

THE HARDENING OF THE HEART
The Scriptures teach about the hardening of the heart.

1. Pharaoh is spoken of as one who hardened his heart (Exodus 8:15, 19 etc).

2. Israel’s heart was quite capable of becoming hard too (Psalm 95:8).

The problem of the heart hardening was so real a danger that the following proverb advice was given.

He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1

SOLEMN WORDS OF OBSERVATION
Let us do our utmost to guard the hearts of our children.

1. Rebukes

Words of rebuke are given to correct misbehaviour! Sometimes rebukes need to be given “often” to children who are wrongly inclined.

2. Responses that are negative

Sometimes words of rebuke are not received well. Instead of being corrected, people can end up with a hardened heart! The chosen response is that of the hardening of the neck (another way of saying, “hardening of the heart”).

3. Destruction forewarned

a) Chances for repentance will always be given.

b) But instead of repentance, the neck or the heart become hardened further.

c) Ultimately the unrepentant or recalcitrant will be destroyed.

d) “Without remedy”

These are grave words indeed!

i) It means that the “grace period” is over.

ii) The chance of making good is now over forever! The hardened heart is lost!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie