No, on the contrary, I am not negating the doctrine of election and God's Soverignity,... the doctrine in itself opens up a new thread outside the discussion that naaji and I were having. However, since you have raised the subject, let me first address the reason WHY God hardened Pharoh's heart and I'm using Romans 9 for the answer to this
The early verses show the development of God's dealings with Isreal and it's role as the divinely elected nation..not the natural born Isreal, but those who are children of the promise (See Genesis 12).
In dealing with those who were "chosen" over others.. Paul asks "is God unjust" Romans 9:15 and He declares.. "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion".. our total salvation is absolutely dependent on the grace and mercy of God, and the reason is.. that we will in no way boast that anything we have done has earned us our salvation.
But the very next verse.. 17 reveals the purpose for Pharoh's heart being hardened... "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth" (cf Exodus 9:16) From the moment of Abraham's calling.. God has shown Himself to be a God for all people's .. Christ's death on the cross was vicarious.. that is, it was meant for all people's and all His dealings with any people is that there would be people from every tribe, tongue nation and people group with Him in eternity.
God in His omniscience used Pharoh to display his power and His salvation... read what God said to Moses in Exodus 3:19 "I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go unless a mighty hand compels him."
Certainly, God did harden Pharoh's heart ..but Exodus 7:13 speaks of it being as much Pharoh's doing as God's.. vs 14 "Pharoh's heart is unyeilding ..he refuses let the people go" God did not harden Pharoh's heart until after Pharoh had already hardened his own heart. (compare with Romans 1:18 -32 (they knew God... they didn't acknowledge Him as God... their foolish hearts were darkened...therefore God gave them over to the sinful desires of their heart). and Exodus 5:2 "Who is the Lord that I should obey Him and let Isreal go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Isreal go."
Once he had began the process in his own heart of hardening it to God then God began the process of hardening his heart. (Ex 7:3, 22 8:19)
The hardening of Pharoh's heart was as much about showing to Pharoh, the Egyptians and all the nations and even the Isrealites themselves, a demonstration of the power of God. Every plague was a demonstration of God being greater than every one of the Egyptian gods .. they were not random plagues.
All I have done in this post is try to address the subject of who hardened Pharoh's heart... The discussion on the Soverignity of God and free will is outside this thread and this forum. We could discuss it in another forum if you like.
my apologies to Naaji.. I'm enjoying our discussion and will answer your post later in my day,
Carol_au