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In Exodus 1-15, the theme of the "hardened heart" plays a central role. God spoke to the Pharaoh of Egypt in an impressively clear way, but he refused again and again and hardened his heart. However, on the 7th time, the LORD hardened his heart. Pharaoh's time of grace had thus expired! This example is a serious warning for all of humanity. "Today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts!" (Ps 95:7-8) is how King David summarized the divine admonition in retrospect, centuries after the Exodus from Egypt. In Egyptian religion, it was taught that with a hardened heart one would experience salvation for eternity. The Bible's account exposes this fatal error (cf. Proverbs 28:13) and shows the way to salvation through the gospel.