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.

Rebuilding walls, repairing lives . . .

 

 

READ Nehemiah 1-4

When we lived in California, one of our rental homes had an eight-foot cinder block wall around the back yard. Although we could not see over it, our children could play there in complete safety.

When we visited Italy and saw some of the two-hundred walled cities of Tuscany we were impressed by their size and how they had been preserved. Although no longer used as protection from enemies, these walls draw tourists by the thousands. We stayed in Prato, the old section where the walls stand sturdy and high alongside very narrow one-way streets, and tall stone buildings with extremely friendly Italians adding to a strong sense of security.

In the OT, the walled cities were vital. When the people of God began to return from exile in Babylon, they reported back to Nehemiah that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down. He was King Artaxerxes’ cupbearer and that leader noticed Nehemiah’s sad face. Nehemiah had fasted and prayed and was praying even as the king asked him about his sorrow. The result: “The king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.” (Nehemiah 2:8).

Nehemiah went alone to Jerusalem and checked out the wall. Then he approached the Jews: priests, nobles, officials and anyone who would do the work. When their enemies heard of it, the jeering began, just like Satan and his cohorts set to work on me every time God hands me a repair job of any kind, or a prayer task that builds His wall around others. To that, Nehemiah replied: “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:20)

This brings to mind the NT directions for spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-20 and the truth that my spiritual enemy is already defeated. He has no claim on me for Jesus has died for my sin and rose again to give me new life. The powerful protection of being the child of a King means that I can pray as Nehemiah did!

Chapter 3 gives a detailed account of the rebuilding task, telling who did what and was assigned to which gate or part of the wall. Some verses list their trade or occupation showing that the work force consisted of the High Priest, other Priests, Levites, leaders and citizens from all areas, goldsmiths, perfumers, families, temple servants, gate keepers, and merchants. Using this ancient story as a picture of Christian renewal and revival shows how God puts all His people to the task. This means unity, humility, and a heart for the work. They were not fighting with each other but worked to accomplish a common goal.

As with any effort to build anything that gives security and protection to the people of God, opposition will happen. The enemies of the Jews hurried in to jeer and frustrate the plan. Nehemiah divided the workers; some stood guard with their weapons and others did the work. Again, this is like Ephesians 6 and other NT verses that say the weapons of our warfare are spiritual, and we need to use the Word of God which is the Sword of the Spirit to fight the onslaughts of our enemy as we repair any damage done to the protection God has given us.

So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. I also said to the people at that time, “Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day.” So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. (Nehemiah 4:21–23)

Sin sent God’s people into captivity. God worked to gain their release and they worked under His direction to rebuild what their sin had ruined. It was not easy, but God was with them and His power made their efforts successful.

Nehemiah’s story is a pattern for me, for all Christians. My activity (not a cupbearer but a wife, mother, grandma, quiltmaker, artist and writer) gives me access to resources and insights concerning my role as a child of God. He puts me where He wants me to be, not to rebuild a literal wall but to prayerfully build and rebuild spiritual protection as He shows me how to intercede for His people. My obedience is different from Nehemiah’s task, yet prayer is hard work, just as was the physical effort to remake burned gates or to restore rubble to the wall it once was. I know for certain that doing this requires the power and encouragement of the Lord and the support and teamwork of every Christian. May God continue to be our strong tower!