Repeatedly in Biblical history, there are significant journeys into Egypt. On both a physical and a symbolic level, such a journey is profoundly significant to the Hebrew nation, to GOD’s people.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 12:9-10
“So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.”
Abram went to Egypt, and we’ll learn more about this as we read on into the chapter of Genesis.
Later in history, Joseph was taken to Egypt which had a huge impact on the early history of the Jewish people.
Jesus was taken to Egypt as an infant and remained there with his parents until it was safe for them to return to Isreal.
Why Egypt?
Abram had moved from Ur — which is thought to be in what we now call Iraq. He travelled through Canaan: the “Promised Land” — but passed through temporarily, going to Egypt for security, because there was famine in Canaan. Egypt provided provision.
Joseph was sent from Canaan into Egypt when he was sold into slavery. For him, Egypt was enslavement but also it was the place where he proved his capabilities and eventually, the prophecy of his dream about his family bowing to him, was fulfilled. For Joseph, Egypt offered preparation.
By order of an angel who delivered a warning to Joseph his earthly father, Jesus was taken to Egypt to escape King Harrod’s rampage; the king had all boys under the age of two slaughtered. For Jesus, Egypt gave protection.
Egypt’s significant location
Egypt is significant in its geographical location, sitting west of Canaan/Isreal. But it is also significant as a symbolic location, symbolic of the wilderness, away from GOD’s sovereign location for His people and His nation. To be “in Egypt” means one is not in “the Land”. To be in Egypt means to be amongst the heathens, in the desert, in isolation… And also, to be “in Egypt” today means to be “in waiting for what is to come”.
We all have our Egypt
Symbolically, Egypt was a temporary location for our Biblical people in transition. Egypt was provision for Abram, preparation for Joseph, protection for baby Jesus.
At one time or another in our own lives, we all need the training and respite that Egypt provides. We may just want to get on with our Calling, but we all need our Egypt-time to be prepared.
So let us be patient, trust GOD and not rush in
The message for today is simply this: Let us allow GOD to lead and let us trust Him to our preparation for what is to be the most important reason for our lives. He is moulding us and shaping us. Let’s allow Him to “take us to Egypt” so we might be prepared for the Calling He has created us to complete.