Religion for Good

How do you interpret the last sentence in 1 Peter 2:8? So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. ( 1 Peter 2:7-8 ) One can interpret this as saying that some people were destined to disobey the word and stumble, which would seem to imply that our fates are all predestined. But another way to interpret the sentence is that those who disobey the word are destined to stumble.

The story of Moses seems to be one that every Christian knows (and it's even been remade into a new movie ). What I recall about Exodus, before reading the book, is that Pharaoh oppressed the people of Israel, and Moses led the people of Israel to freedom from slavery, parting a sea along the way. While the punishment of death meted out to the Egyptions for enslaving Israel seems just, I am unsure why God had staged the series of events leading up to Pharaoh's fatal pursuit of Israel. Specifically, I wonder about the parts that say the Lord  had hardened Pharaoh's heart. And the Lord said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." ( Exodus 4:21 ) But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses. ( Exodus 9:12 ) Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go in to Phar...