Even though God never changes, times and meanings change. Take, for instance, your heart. There’s a connotation that emotions live in your heart. That’s why we can have our hearts broken.
Back in biblical times the heart was the center of thought. When pharaoh’s heart was hardened, that didn’t mean he became angry or ruthless about the plight of the Hebrews. It meant his resolve was hardened. He’d thought it out, and his mind was mad up.
Speaking of “mind,” the Hebrews of that era had no word for “brain”. They called it the marrow of the head. But I digress. (“Old Testament Roots for New Testament Faith.” Cate, Robert L. Broadman Press, 1982).
There are all sorts of references to the heart in the Bible. Matthew mentions that your heart will be where you put your treasure. Genesis says there’s nothing in man’s heart but evil. Romans says the Law is written on our hearts. Luke mentioned Mary pondered “these things” in her heart.
These passages have a different implication when read in light of the heart being the center of thought. The Genesis reference above really means man’s thoughts contained nothing but evil. In Romans, the requirements of God’s Law would be in our thoughts, not in our emotions. Mary thought about what the shepherds told her, and treasure in Matthew is whatever you think about.
The passage that highlights the difference the most to me is in Ezekiel. God (through his prophet) says He’ll remove our hearts of stone and give us a heart of flesh. Instead of having such firm resolve against God, we’ll have thoughts that are responsive to His will.
It’s not about emotion, but of thought.
Matthew has another passage about two sons who were told to work in their father’s vineyard. One said he would - then didn’t. The other said he wouldn’t - then did. Which one had thoughts softened to his father’s wishes? He was unwilling, but actually did what his father wanted.
Which one are you? Are your thoughts hardened?
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