The Egyptians were afraid. Afraid that God’s people would grow too numerous and take control of the country. They needed a solution, and they chose slavery. The Egyptians terrorized the Israelites into forced labor.
The Israelites despised it. They loathed their oppressors, and they hated that there was no escape. They were scared of what the future held.
They cried out to God to free them—and He delivered! What a miracle it was when He pulled them out of their bondage. They were free!
Sin to Salvation
This is a lot like our salvation story. Dead in our sin, with no hope, no chance of escape—until God stepped in.
Are you with me so far?
Good, because this next part is almost more important.
Trapped by our Temptations
The Israelites camped by the water and waited for night to fall. The Red Sea was on one side, and the life they were leaving hemmed the other.
Then disaster struck. The Israelites looked back—and what they saw was scary. Super scary.
They were trapped.
Their past, it seemed, was catching up to them. This time, there was no escape. Where could they run? Into the army? Or forward, into a sea that would surely drown them?
Despite what lack of trust the Israelites may have had, God made a way. He opened up the sea. As a result, the Israelites could escape, but only because God was looking out for them.
Finally safe from the Egyptians, the Israelites settled into their new life. Wandering through the wilderness, headed to the Promised Land—a land flowing with milk and honey.
The people sang and danced. They were excited!
It wasn’t long before the people started to disobey. They wouldn’t do anything God told them to—and they complained. Complained that life in bondage was better. They wanted to go back. “It would be easier,” they said. “Better for everyone. We’re just going to die here, and no one will remember us.”
If only they had remembered all the things God had done.
I used to think the Israelites were crazy for wanting to go back to Egypt. Their cruel masters forced them into working long, sweaty hours. Their lives were full of fear and dread. God performed miracles before their eyes, and the Israelites—for once—didn’t have to lift a finger. They could have worshiped God forever.
But when you look at it with us in their place, the truth becomes a little clearer.
We do the same thing.
When God rescued us from our sin bondage, we were elated!
But then something happens. Your temptation to sin catches up to you. You have nowhere to go except back . . . oh wait. God’s still here. And as He leads you through the storm, you are forgiven, eyes set on the horizon where you will rest forever.
We look to our bondage and say, “If only I could go back . . .”
Can you relate?
Relate to the pocket-lint-covered mint we suck on while a feast sits before us? Relate to looking at the fear and pain reflected in the rear-view mirror when there’s a beautiful sunset landscaping the windshield? Relate to sifting through rocks when a mansion of jewels is waiting at the top of the hill?
I sure can.
But we don’t have to stay in our bondage any longer. Instead, we can embrace the Lord and follow His lead, having faith in the wilderness and obedience when we would rather fight for our way.
We can learn from the Israelites’ detrimental mistakes.
Let’s rejoice in the freedom, even when the conditions are less than friendly; obey the Lord, especially when we don’t want to; and have faith He will do everything He promises.
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