People in the Old Testament tended to explain everything with God. When Pharaoh repeatedly refused to release the Israelites, Exodus would say that Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh (Exodus 4:21, 7:3, 8:15 etc). If such was the case, how much should man be responsible for his actions?
In the reading for Isaiah 29, we come across a similar situation.
As when a hungry man dreams he is eating and awakes with his hunger not satisfied,
or as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking and awakes faint, with his thirst not quenched,
so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion.
Stupefy yourselves and be in a stupor, blind yourselves and be blind!
Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not with strong drink!
For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep,
and has closed your eyes, the prophets, and covered your heads, the seers (Isaiah 29:8-10).
To a certain extent, Isaiah was true. Many times, we simply do not see the truth right under our noses. Our judgment is clouded. We seem like sleeping with eyes widely open. It seems that God is playing tricks on us, fooling us around.
But Isaiah explains otherwise. Hungry men dream they are eating. Hunger is the cause of such dreams. So, when Pharaoh hardened his heart, we don't need to call upon Yahweh to explain Pharaoh's decision.
But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them; as the LORD had said (Exodus 8:15).
So, when man is unable to see the truth, probably pride has smothered his judgment such that he refuses to see the truth, but to put the blame on the others. Perhaps they are actually hypocrites. Receiving Baptism may only be a tactic to enter a Diocesan Secondary School.
And the Lord said:
"Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips,
while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote;
therefore, behold, I will again do marvelous things with this people, wonderful and marvelous;
and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hid." (Isaiah 29:13-14)
It is difficult to understand why the wise men would become stupid when God works wonders. What kind of wonders would God work such that even the wise would be baffled? Is this wonder the resurrection of Jesus? Isaiah seemed to talk about something else. Probably, he could only dimly discern what would happen in the future. He was able to see that the Messiah would heal the blind and the deaf. He was able to hear the Sermon on the Mount. Indeed, if Isaiah saw into the future, say what goes on in a medical operation theatre, how would he articulate what he saw? Language would be a big problem.
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book,
and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 29:18-19).
In the end, God still wants all to be saved. How could a father be willing to see his son perish, without trying to save him? He still leave a window open, giving him yet one more chance.
And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction (Isaiah 29:24).
Dear Lord, pardon me when I turn too judgmental. The arrogance in my heart always clouds my judgment. It still prevents me from confessing my sins. Shine forth your light on my soul which is still sitting in the shadow of darkness. You are my Saviour and my Lord, forever and ever. Amen.
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