Are you in Egypt?

The historical account of Moses leading the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt is widely familiar (known as the Exodus). If this is not familiar to you, or you want to refresh on the details, please read the Book of Exodus.

The short version is that once upon a time a man named Joseph, who was an Israelite, became very powerful in Egypt because of his good reputation with the Pharaoh at that time. Eventually other Israelites came to live in Egypt. After all of those people died, the new Pharaoh became afraid that the Israelites would overthrow him, so he made them all slaves. Moses was born to an Israelite woman, but was raised by Pharaoh's daughter. Later he facilitated the negotiations with Pharaoh to free the Israelites.

When the Israelites left slavery in Egypt they faced new challenges in their freedom. They often become ungrateful for their freedom and complained that they wished they were back in slavery in Egypt instead. God was using these challenges to teach them to trust in Him alone, He was very disappointed that the people thought the Pharaoh could take better care of them.

I read this passage today in my Bible and thought it might be a great metaphor sometimes in our lives. What is your "Egypt?" Where do you go when you need help? Does that help seem to be fruitless, counter productive or even dangerous? There is a living God - all knowing, all powerful and ever present - who desires to be your Savior and Provider, if you will turn to Him and ask.

Excerpts from Isaiah 30 (vs 1-2, 15, 18-19) and Isaiah 31 (vs 1 & 3)

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
and rely on horses,
and trust in chariots because they are many,
and in horsemen because they are very strong,
but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God,
and their horses are flesh and not spirit;

"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the Lord,
"Who execute a plan, but not Mine,
and make an alliance, but not of My Spirit,
in order to add sin to sin;
who proceed down to Egypt,
without consulting Me,
to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh,
and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!"

"In repentance and rest you shall be saved,
in quietness and trust is your strength."

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.

He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
when He hears it, He will answer you.