We’re looking at God’s mysterious ways. Part of being human is this humbling realisation that God is God and we are not. This means gladly and humbly embracing the truth that we are under his mercy and care. It also means we are completely dependent on him. We are not in control he is. But we don’t need to worry – our God is good, wise, kind, loving and faithful.
Today I would like to reflect on “Why did God bring Israel to Egypt?”
First, he sent Israel to Egypt to save the world. Joseph, the first migrant worker, was brought to Egypt as a slave, to save the world. His story is an amazing story of God’s providence. This truth was beautifully expressed by Joseph himself. He said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is not being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20). This truth of divine providence is mind-boggling, but it is a true doctrine: God is in full control over every circumstance. Not that God is responsible for evil, but that God knows everything that is happening and ensures that everything accomplishes his design and purpose.
Second, God brought them to Egypt to make them into a great nation. Jacob and his family were shepherds, they were into agriculture, they had no idea about nation building. So God enrolled them in Egypt. In Egypt for some reasons, these strangers “became exceedingly numerous, so that the land was filled with them” (Exodus 1:7). Their growth became a critical political issue for Egypt. They saw Israel’s growth as potentially dangerous. So they forced them into slavery. They assigned taskmasters and other official to handle them. But it did not stop them from growing.
Exodus 1:12 sounds almost comical for it says, “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.” The tired Israeli came home to a comforting wife, and that is how they kept growing in numbers.
Notice also how systems were set in place. Forced labor require perfect systems to work. How did Israel learn to govern herself when it grew into a great nation in the wilderness? Well they learned it while they were in Egypt.
One of my early mentors taught me that God does not waste our pains. He uses these experiences to teach us eternal truths and he uses pain to transform us. Paul’s theology of his incredible sufferings in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 explains this mysterious truth. He said, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (ESV).
Most people I know do not welcome this truth. They prefer comfort, easy, and a hassle-free life over struggles and trials. Their problem gets aggravated by teachers who glorify the prosperous life, which they define as easy, comfortable, materially prosperous, as God’s will for his people. Sadly, a lot of Christians have embraced this teaching.
Keep looking at the cross dear ones. The cross shows us the wisdom of God. The greatest mystery is the cross for in and through it, we see a God who dies in order to give life; someone who submits and yields, so he can lead and be followed; someone who experiences defeat so he can have the greatest victory of all, and so that he can share that victory to us today.
Daniel & Emma Villa 