Mercy & Hardening as He Wills

All men must fear God and reverence Him if they would live forever. God has created all men to fear Him. And since by nature no one fears God unless they are changed by His grace, it is His purpose to save some by His mercy, and to punish the others, to the praise of His Justice. He strives with them, giving them commands through His servants, to heed His word, and then, instead of showing them mercy, He leaves them to sinful reasonings of their own hearts, and then gives them what they most certainly deserve – His judgments, both in this life, and in the life to come. Pharaoh, king of Egypt, in the days of Moses is the perfect example for our consideration in this regard. God accomplished everything He purposed to accomplish according to His decree, regarding both the mercy He showed to Israel, and the Justice He demonstrated to Pharaoh and the Egyptians.