Started reading the book of Exodus and immediately I have questions. God hardens the heart of Pharaoh? After so long he finally heard the cry of his people? Again I get we don’t know the will of God but it seems strange to me so far. Also, most of the magicians could do the same? How? I might be asking bad questions!
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Here are a couple theories theories regarding God hardening someone's heart:
1) God gave Pharaoh what Pharaoh wanted. After all, Pharaoh was kind of a jerk already.
2) God purposed to harden Pharaoh's heart to demonstrate his power. That doesn't seem right, though, as how could Pharaoh be charged with sin if he had no choice in the matter.
3) Bible writers often ascribe to God that which God did not do because God is the higher authority. This is a common practice and something that happens even today.
For example: If I were to kill someone, the Bible could properly record it as God killing someone because God is the higher authority.
To show you how that works in modern times: Seal Team Six went in and killed Osama bin Laden. However, U.S. President Obama is often given the credit. "Obama killed bin Laden." Because Obama, being President, is the higher authority even though he had nothing to do with it other than giving the okay to do it.
I don't believe that God is some kind of Cosmic Puppeteer and we have no say on the matter. We have free will. God can arrange things, move things, and certainly can affect things, but we ultimately are free to choose what we do.
As far as the magicians go, Satan certainly can mimic God. Revelation states that the False Prophet will do some seriously wild miracles.