In Parshas Bo (10:1) we read that God hardened the hearts of Pharaoh's servants - כִּי אֲנִי הִכְבַּדְתִּי אֶת לִבּוֹ וְאֶת לֵב עֲבָדָיו. The Ohr HaChaim explains that this is so that the servants will not advise Pharaoh to release the Jews. However, just 6 short pesukim later (10:7) we read of them doing exactly that - וַיֹּאמְרוּ עַבְדֵי פַרְעֹה אֵלָיו עַד מָתַי יִהְיֶה זֶה לָנוּ לְמוֹקֵשׁ שַׁלַּח אֶת הָאֲנָשִׁים וְיַעַבְדוּ אֶת ה' אֱלֹקֵיהֶם הֲטֶרֶם תֵּדַע כִּי אָבְדָה מִצְרָיִם
How do we explain this sudden reversal of the servants?
- How were they able to make this statement if God had hardened their hearts?
- If they are somehow able to soften their own hearts, what was the point of God hardening their hearts in the first place?
- Why would the king of Egypt listen to the advice of his slaves of all people?