Quick question!

First of all, glad to meet you and to be in this community. Hopefully we can have some meaningful conversations! I've started reading the Bible again after a first attempt months and months ago, and something about the first chapters of the Exodus this time really struck me.

I don't understand why God would make it hard for the Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt. It says it clearly! He'll "harden his heart" so that he won't let them go, unless it's after a great amount of suffering and death and blood. Why would God make it harder for his people to reach the land he promised them? Why would he intentionally do something apparently so controversial? I'd love to hear your perspective.

p.s. I'm Italian and therefore reading the Bible in Italian, there could be a few differences in translation, but I'm pretty sure the message is the same.

p.p.s. I'm very open to discussing religious/philosophical matters in the DMs! Or even to get to know a few fellow Christians. I would probably need that a lot.

God bless you all, will wait impatiently for replies 💓

Lia.