Slavery or freedom?

The people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. 
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. (Exodus 1:7–14)

The OT story of slavery in Egypt is a real-life metaphor for being in bondage to sin. This image is not sufficient in that the people of Israel choose to trust their own ways rather than trusting God, but it does point to the losses and damage that sin does. One commentator points out that there is “no such exhausting toil as that of working under the hot Egyptian sun, with the feet in water, in an open cutting, where there can be no shade, and scarcely a breath of air, from sunrise to sunset, as forced laborers are generally required to do.” 

He adds that a recent governor of Egypt, Mehemet Ali lost 20,000 laborers out of 150,000 in the construction of the Alexandrian Canal towards the middle of the present century. Other sources estimate that there are 50 million people in this world living in some sort of slavery. If that number included slavery to sin, it would be much larger.

The beginning of Exodus spells out the consequence of fear in this new king who had no understanding of the history of Israel living in his country. He only knew that his position of power was threatened. In his mind, the only solution was to overpower the threat. It is my observation that those insecure leaders of today are much like this one — when in fear, find a bigger stick.

In the NT, the multiplication of Christians became a threat in the Roman world. Many were persecuted, ran out of their homes, even burned at the stake. The sinful desire to maintain power and control overrides trusting God who is far superior to any threat. This is true even of those who know God. The Exodus story shows how much trouble His people had with trusting Him.

Yet is slavery to sin worth it? Is the ability to run my own life preferable to trusting God with it? Jesus died so that I could be set free from a power greater than my ability to say NO. Choosing slavery is foolish. Every time I fall into that trap, the more lovely God's grace appears. 

Jesus, thanks for saving me from a lifetime in Egypt and for setting my course to Your promised land.

UPDATE: This nasty virus invaded January 5 and is still trying to defeat me. Mostly I eat a bit, nap, and have no energy, but did a bit of sewing today so that is hopeful. Hubby is not 100% but far better than I am. Since I’ve not had flu since 1996, feeling sorry for myself is another challenge. God bless those who have brought food and are praying.