In Genesis 1 – 15, the theme of the „hardened heart“ plays a very central role. God spoke to the Pharaoh of Egypt in an impressively clear way, yet he rejected again and again and hardened his heart. On the 7th time, however, the LORD hardened his heart. Thus Pharaoh’s time of grace had expired! This example is a serious warning to all mankind. „Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts!“ (Ps 95:7-8), was how King David summarized the divine admonition in retrospect, centuries after the Exodus from Egypt.