Leaving Egypt
Leaving Egypt
The way to a new heart, new desires, and a new walk
I sometimes recall the idyllic days of youth and my godly upbringing, and wonder how in the world I went so far astray. How was it that I became trapped in the world’s pleasures, enslaved to things I knew were wrong but desired anyway. The answer? One day and one choice at a time until I was no longer free, no longer who I desired to be. With that bit of revelation dawning, I became like the ancient Israelites. I desired to flee my own Egypt.
The third chapter of Exodus ends with these words, “…and you shall empty out Egypt.” In Ezekiel 39:10 we find this instruction expanded with explanation: “They will plunder those who had plundered them and despoil those who had despoiled them – the word of the Lord HASHEM / ELOHIM.” Finally, in Exodus 12:36 we find the fulfillment of God’s instruction, “HASHEM gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and they granted their request so they emptied Egypt.” (all passages quoted from the Artscroll English Tanach, emphasis mine).
We know that this instruction was given to the Israelites just before their exodus from Egypt, and we know that the Israelites were faithful in following the instruction as their Egyptian captors gave them the riches of their personal possessions and land as they departed. From this, Israel was established as a nation of wealth from its very beginning, a blessing of God drawn from the spoils of those who had enslaved them.1
We understand the history of this word, but what does this instruction mean to us today? How is this ancient scripture alive today, and what are we to do about it?
“You shall empty out Egypt.” Each time I re-read the phrase my spirit jumped again. What was God telling me, and why is this word important to me and so many others today?
We have all been enslaved by various things. For some of us the experience has been mild. We’ve suffered no addictions, our families are whole and loving, our place in life seems secure and safe. Sure, we occasionally do something we know we shouldn’t, but they tend to be small things or personality characteristics. We think of these as us just being “the way we are.” For too many of us, however, the way we are falls short of God’s desire for the richness of life with its many responsibilities and joys.
Others among us suffer deeper and darker realities. Addictions to money, power, control, drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, sex, abandonment, lives of crime and hatred; these are tough circumstances. God’s Word has the same answer for all: “empty out Egypt.” His love redeems us, but we have work to do. It is the work of emptying our personal Egypt’s of the rubble and hubris of our lives. Our hearts must be changed, our desires cleansed, and our walk straightened. There can be no compromise, no “that doesn’t really matter,” or “God doesn’t care about that.” It all matters, and He cares.
Where does one begin?
There is only one starting point, our relationship with Father God. Developing intimacy there fosters intimacy in all other righteous relationships, and the desire to please Him above all else leads us to want to rid ourselves of all unrighteousness. We must purge our heart of sin. How can we do that? Only by immersing ourselves in the righteousness of Father God, turning into Him instead of into the world. In Him no unrighteousness can exist. Live in Him, breathe His breath, and allow Him to show you the way. Spend your time with Him, reading His Word and praying and meditating on it to gain insight into your own life, to learn His ways, and to rest your heart in His. Surrender it all and ask for His forgiveness and favor. Ask Him to show you the way.
Are you a believer who has gone astray? Ask Him to lead you back.
Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
Psalm 25:4-7 (ESV)
Are you a searcher who desires to know God? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and confess your sins to Him, asking Him to take them in your place. It is as simple as this:
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
Acts 16:30-32 (ESV)
When the Israelites departed Egypt, they went with its riches.
All that had been stolen or acquired through the Israelites suffering and more was given to them freely. When we leave our personal Egypt’s behind, the riches of life are ours to claim again. Forgiveness, lost love for others and self, restored integrity, newfound joy and peace, and everything else God has for us.2 They are all there waiting for us, waiting to cheer us on as we begin the journey.
Empty out your Egypt and enter your very own Promised Land.
Shalom
Exodus 12:35-36
Galatians 5:22-23