Romans 9:17-18 : For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. The "for" shows a close connection with what had just been said. When the time came for God to show mercy to his oppressed people in Egypt, Pharaoh determined not to let Israel go. Through Moses and Aaron, Jehovah said to Pharaoh: "Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness." Pharaoh replied: "Who is Jehovah, that I should hearken unto his voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah, and moreover I will not let Israel go." In so saying, Pharaoh openly defied Jehovah. He arrogated to himself supreme authority. In his estimation, Jehovah did not have the power to dictate to him what he should do, or not do; hence, the demand that he let Israel go stirred in him a full determination to do as he pleased with Israel, no matter what Jehovah said or did. Instead of producing in Pharaoh willing obedience, the demand of Jehovah stirred up in him a great determination to defeat Jehovah's purpose to show mercy to Israel. He felt that Israel belonged to him--they were the property of his kingdom. Yes, he would pit his strength against Jehovah, and see that they did not go from him. Hence, every demand of Jehovah to let them go aroused his determination to keep them. These demands and his attitude toward them served to harden his heart. This shows how Jehovah hardened his heart, and also how he hardened his own heart. Hence, it is said that Jehovah hardened his heart, and it is said a number of times that he hardened his own heart. This contest continued a sufficient length of time to attract attention through all Egypt, and the nations round about Egypt; and when Jehovah, in his own time and in his own way, triumphed over Pharaoh and all his gods, his power was shown, and his name was "published abroad in all the earth." If Pharaoh had immediately let Israel go, there would have been no contest and God's power would not have been displayed before the world. Pharaoh would have been credited with being good and kind to Israel. The language quoted by Paul was spoken to Pharaoh after miracles had been wrought before Pharaoh, and after six of the ten plagues had been visited upon him and the Egyptians. Each plague further hardened his heart and stirred him to greater determination to hold Israel in bondage. The term raise up is from a Greek word which Liddell and Scott define as follows "To raise from the dead; to arouse, stir up; to kindle, as fire." To arouse, stir up, is the only definition given here that will fit the case. God's demands stirred Pharaoh's antagonism toward God. No others ever had so much evidence that God's hand was in a matter as did Pharaoh and the Egyptians. God was long-suffering toward him, and that long-suffering contributed much to the hardening of his heart. "So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth." The whole circumstance shows that it is not necessary to conclude that God hardened Pharaoh's heart by any direct operation of the Spirit.