And the LORD Hardened the Heart of Duterte

Duterte called God a stupid son of a bitch and the whole nation is in an uproar.

http://www.theweek.co.uk/rodrigo-duterte/94567/duterte-sparks-outrage-by-calling-god-a-stupid-son-of-a-bitch

Everyone has chimed in with their opinion. Some even say Duterte did not blaspheme God but merely questioned the creation story. As if that makes a difference!

Here are his own words.

Who is this stupid God? Estupido talaga itong p***** i** kung ganun. You created some --- something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work.

https://pcoo.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/20180622-Speech-of-President-Rodrigo-Roa-Duterte-during-the-Opening-of-the-2018-National-ICT-Summit.pdf

See how he addresses God? He does not say that the creation story is stupid. He says God is stupid and even more than that! He is addressing God. He says God destroyed his own work, i.e. brought sin into the world. An overlooked bit from his speech addresses Jesus Christ.

Why do you have to remember a sad thing about the killing of our God? Ako ang Diyos, gawain mo sa akin ‘yan? Ay p***** i**. Para kang karne norte [laughter] if you do that. I am God and you...

Clearly Duterte does not understand the meaning of the crucifixion and more importantly the resurrection.

As I said everyone in the nation has chimed in with their opinion from the benign, "Oh it's just his opinion."

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/06/28/1828634/sara-duterte-dont-listen-pa-when-he-interprets-bible

To the outright ridiculous, "He violated the Constitution."

https://www.rappler.com/nation/205856-duterte-violated-constitution-stupid-god-eddie-villanueva

Now I'm going to give you my opinion. It will be more truthful and scriptural and to the point than all the pundits and amateur theologians have cared to offer.

Let's start with a few questions

Who hardened Pharoh's heart?

Exodus 9:12: And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.

Who caused Shemei to curse David?

II Samuel 16:10: And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

Who sent an evil spirit to deceive King Ahab?

I Kings 22:23: Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

Who directs the steps of men

Proverbs 16:9: A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Who gives the kingdoms of men to whomsoever he will even the basest of men?

Daniel 4:17: This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

Who said to Pilate you would have no power except it were given from above?

John 19:11: Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Whom did the Apostle Paul say is the source of all authority?

Romans 13:1: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

The answer to every single one of those questions is God. It is God who is in charge of all things in this world that he has created. There is nothing outside of his control, his sovereignty, his will and pleasure. Not even the desires of the human heart and the steps of men.

What does this all mean?

It means that God set up Duterte to be the Ruler and Governor and President of the Republic of the Philippines. Did Filipinos vote him in? Yes. But who guides the hearts and minds of men and directs them in their course?  Who is it that gave the Israelites an evil king after they clamoured for one? Who controls the outcome of the casting of the lot?

Proverbs 16:33: The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

God. God set evil King Saul on his throne. He set Nebuchadnezzar on his throne. He raised up Alexander and Ceaser and in these last days he has raised up Duterte through the casting of the lot, that is to say the vote. Even Duterte acknowledged that!

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/825486/duterte-tells-foes-god-made-me-president

And as he does with all men God is working in the heart of Duterte directing it and causing him by those invisible strings of Providence by which all things are bound and conducted to be brought to his appointed end. Through these blasphemous spewings from the darkened heart of Duterte we find that he is not a good man for out of the heart proceedes that which a man is.

Matthew 15:18: But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 

Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Who can cleanse the filthy heart of any man? Only God. That is his prerogative and He has chosen to allow Duterte to wallow in his filth. God has taken this man who was already a hardened soul and is now making manifest the true character of this individual in a way that cannot be denied. Is calling God stupid Duterte's opinion? Yes. And that is the point. That is the problem. That is the proof that his heart is hardened and his mind darkened and blinded by the god of this world.

I Corinthians 12:3: Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

But you will say, "Duterte did not call Jesus accursed."

In calling the God who created the world a son of a bitch he truly did call Jesus accursed because it is through the Son that the Father created the world. Jesus Christ is the creator.

Hebrews 1:1: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 

Hebrews 1:2: Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

God has hardened Duterte's heart. God has caused him to curse against Himself. Does that sound funny to you? That God has caused Duterte to curse God? I don't deny it. That is the mystery of providence. That God works in us and through us and yet we do all things freely and without compunction. Remember Pharaoh hardened his heart too.

Exodus 8:32: And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.

What are we to learn from this? If you aren't a Christian then it doesn't matter.  All you have is Duterte. But if you are a Christian, if you really do believe in God and Jesus Christ then listen to the words of Jesus:

John 18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Does that mean you must flee the world like a monk or have no business politically like Jehovah's Witnesses? No. Daniel, Joseph, Esther, and Nehemiah are all examples of holy men who served wicked rulers. God placed those men in their positions. The lesson is not to shun political participation.

The lesson is that this world is not your home. The men who rule this world will never bring it into submission. Crime and drugs and evil and corruption will never be eradicated in this present evil world. The solution is to seek the kingdom which is above and not to put faith in the men of this world whoever they be. 

Isaiah 2:22: Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

Some are good, some are evil, but they are all men and they are all servants and tools of the Most High God.

Even Duterte.