“So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt
to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword…” Jeremiah 42:17
Although Jeremiah’s message was to the Israelites that
didn’t go into Babylonian captivity, there is a spiritual application to “all the men that set their faces to go into
Egypt”.
If we compare Exodus 22:21 with Hebrews 11:13, we find that “Egypt”
represents the world, so if we determine within ourselves, i.e. set our
faces, to sojourn / live in the world, we “shall
die by the sword”. “Egypt”
is almost without exception used in a bad light and has a negative or bad
connotation in the Bible.
“After the doings of the land
of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of
the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my
judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus
18:3, 4
In Exodus chapter one, we find another key to understanding
“Egypt”;
Israel finds themselves
being “afflicted” and in “hard bondage” with “taskmasters” over them in “Egypt”.
They had “burdens” and were made to “serve” with “rigor”, and the Egyptians “made
their lives bitter”. Since Egypt
is a type of the world, I realize that I was afflicted and in bondage to sin
before I was saved, just like the children of Israel
in Egypt.
The way out of these burdens for you and I is by the blood of the lamb (Jesus –
John 1:29), just as Israel
was delivered by the Passover lamb. Proverbs 3:5b tells us to “lean not unto thine own understanding”
and Ezekiel tells us what happened when Israel
“leaned” on Egypt.
“And
all the inhabitants of Egypt… have been a staff of reed to the house of
Israel.
When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst break, and rend all their
shoulder: and when they
leaned upon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loins to be at a
stand.” Eze. 29:6, 7
But Israel continually wanted to go back to Egypt; just
like our old sin nature wants to pull us back and causes us not to follow God
to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:2). The reason for this perhaps, is because “Egypt”
has the appearance like unto “the garden
of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10). In other words “Egypt”
looks like paradise! Each day we too are lured by the attraction of the
world in a variety of ways and are faced with the same choices that Moses was.
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the
son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing
rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures
of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the
reward. By faith he forsook Egypt…”
Hebrews 11:24-27a
The word “Gypsy” is derived from “Egyptian” and represents
a nomadic people; typically devious, some prostitutes, and swindlers who are
pagan and often connected with the occult; that try to “gyp” you. It is
interesting to note that the word “Egypt” does not
appear in any of the books written to the church because it (the church)
has been delivered from Egypt
/ world! Friend, has the blood of the lamb delivered you from “Egypt”?
It only took one day for God to get Israel
out of Egypt why don’t you
leave “Egypt” today “by faith”? In order to live in the
Promised Land, you have to leave “Egypt”!
“Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help…”
Isaiah 31:1
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