Rocag said:
The modern Christian characterization of Satan is a weird one. One of the best and brightest of the angels who decided to revolt against an omnipotent and omniscient being? What intelligent being fights a war they absolutely know they can't win? Someone who doesn't have a choice perhaps? A true believer in the cause they're fighting for? Or the other choice, Satan knows something we don't. Perhaps the true lesson we should learn from Satan is that God can be overcome and defeated.
Or they're all just mythological and allowed to not make sense. Whatever.
This reminds me of Pharaoh.
The Lord said He would harden Pharaoh's heart.
At first glance, you would think the Lord would soften Pharaoh's heart so that maybe he (Pharaoh) would go ahead and let the people go! Perhaps this is not entirely how things work. The Egyptians and Pharaoh had all that time before Moses showed up to be kind to the children of Israel. They had plenty of time to treat them not as slaves, but equal citizens.
Once Moses showed up, all bets were off. I suspect the Lord decided to use Pharaoh for His own means and ends, namely to bring about glory to His power and strength as evidenced by the plagues.