THE SPIRIT OF STUBBORNNESS.

The basic meaning that convey the spirit of this word in hardness, especially in a bad sense. In Biblical usage the spirit of this word is often use as a deliberately refusal to comply with God's will or commands. We can see in Psalms 78 how this spirit is at work:
"Give ear, O my people, to my teaching ... I will utter dark sayings from of old... tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders which he has wrought. He established a Testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children; that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn ... so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose SPIRIT WAS NOT FAITHFUL TO GOD."
The E'phraimites (meaning: "be fertil"; second son of Joseph in Egypt), armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle. They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.
In the sight of their fathers he wrought marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zo'an. He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. He cleft rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers. Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, 'Can God spread a table in the wilderness? He smote the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide meat for his people?'
Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob (established spirit of testimony), his anger mounted against Israel (appointed law); because they had no faith in God, and did not trust his saving power.
Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; and he rained down upon them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. He caused the East Wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the South Wind, he rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their habitations. And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved, while the food was still in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them and he slew the strongest of them, and laid low the picked men of Israel.
In spite of all this they still sinned; despite his wonders they did not believe. So He made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror. ... Their heart was not steadfast toward Him; they were not true to his covenant. ... They flattered Him with their mouths; they lied to Him with their tongues.

In his dealings with humankind, the God of Israel has patiently allowed individuals and nations, although deserving of death, to continue in existence. Whereas some have responded favorably to this by putting themselves in line for receiving the spirit of mercy, others have hardened their hearts allowing the spirit of stubbornness to control them to an even greater degree against God and against his people. Since God does not prevent persons from becoming stubborn instead He is spoken of as "letting them become obstinate" or "making their hearts hard." When He finally does execute His wrath upon the stubborn ones, this results in a demonstration of His great power and causes His Name to be declared.