The key to this new habitation of the Spirit of God among us is leaving behind the behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs of Egypt. In order to do this, we have suggested that within the exodus story we will discover an instruction manual for this process. While the shift which God is releasing now does not include a literal emancipation from slavery or a geographic change of location for most Believers, it does involve a mental and spiritual emancipation, deliverance, and exodus.
As we study the story of the exodus, it is interesting to note that the Book of Exodus begins with a reminder of how it was that the Israelites came to live in Egypt. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, had earned the trust of his captors and had risen to the highest position in the land. Thus positioned, when his family was in need, Joseph was able to provide food when a regional famine occurred. Also, due to Joseph's exalted position it was Pharaoh’s pleasure to honor Joseph’s family with the rich region of Gershom where they could dwell during the famine.
Genesis 46:3 tells us, "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.” With the stamp of approval from God and the prospect of obtaining supplies for the family, Egypt should have looked like an oasis. But we should consider that Jacob’s family may not have viewed this turn of events in a completely positive light. God had promised Abraham that He would give his descendants all of Canaan. Within their assigned boundaries they were peaceful and powerful. But then came the famine. Desperate and disillusioned they were driven south from Canaan into Egypt. The favored people of God were forced to go to the king of a nation which worshiped idols and beg for assistance. Upon arriving in Egypt they were humiliated and their motives questioned by Pharaoh’s top administrator. Eventually, their deliverer was revealed as the hated brother whom they first tried to kill, and then sold into slavery.
But while Rueben, Simeon, Levi, Judah and the others may have had some reservations about the method of their deliverance, we must see it as an important lesson for us. From God’s perspective, Egypt was a promised land for His people. Knowing what would transpire, God had prepared everything in advance for His people not only to survive, but also to flourish. Egypt was a place of blessing and prosperity. Food was available. They lived under the protection of the world’s strongest king, and their son and brother was the chief administrator of the kingdom. As implied by Genesis 46:3, by association with the Egyptians they would also have learned new skills and acquired knowledge to which a nomad family, such as their own, would not have been exposed.
Whether Israel and his family viewed Egypt as a blessing or curse we will never know, but it would be well for us to remember that sometimes God’s refuge may not initially appear to be a refuge. In this season, many of us are going through difficult times. God’s refuge for some of us may not appear that way at all when viewed from the perspective of the promises we have received or the plans we have. Some of God’s present day refuges may appear to be diversions, a step backwards, or just plain humiliating. For those who continue to seek after the Lord, there are no wrong turns. We must be secure in our knowledge that God will work all things together to bring us into the Promised Land in His perfect timing. Further, we must not, through our concentration on the future promise, despise the land of our sojourn.
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