After receiving God’s deliverance from Egypt, Israel constantly desired to return to Egypt. They grumbled when they were hungry and thirsty (Exodus 16:1-3; 17:1-3). They complained when they wanted meat (Numbers 11:1-6). They became afraid of the inhabitants of Canaan (Numbers 14:1-4). Even in their hearts, “they turned back to Egypt” (Acts 7:39).
How could Israel have ever desired to return to Egypt?
- Israel had been delivered from slavery. While in Egypt, God’s people were under the cruel and oppressive hand of the Pharoah. They had to labor vigorously building storage cities (Exodus 1:13-14). They had taskmasters who worked them in the scorching sun. There was even an occasion when the king of Egypt attempted to murder all of the newborn Hebrew male babies (Exodus 1:22)! God rescued the Israelites from that awful oppression.
- Israel was traveling to a better place. God was leading them to the Promised Land (Genesis 12:1-7; Exodus 3:7-10). In addition to promising to build Israel into a great nation and bring the Messiah into the world through them, God also promised to give them Canaan as an inheritance. Canaan was a good and spacious land. It was fruitful and blessed. There they would be free and separate from the heathen nations of the world.
- Israel had received great provisions from God. The journey to the Promised Land would not be easy. It would be rigorous and challenging. Two million people would be uprooted from the only home they had ever known to travel to a place that they had never been before. Thankfully, the Lord watched over them. He brought them safely across the Red Sea (Exodus 14). He miraculously provided them with food and water (Exodus 16-17). He led them by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night (Exodus 14:19-24).
- Would you have also wanted to return to Egypt?
We are currently on a similar journey.
- We also have been delivered from bondage (Romans 6:14-23). Through the blood of God, we have been delivered from the bondage of sin. Sin is the most oppressive master. It leads to shame, guilt, emptiness, and even spiritual death.
- We also are headed to a better place. Jesus is leading us to heaven. Heaven is the spiritual Promised Land (Philippians 3:20; Revelation 7:14-17; 21:1-4). Heaven is far better than the physical land of Canaan because it is void of troubles, worries, sin, and Satan. There we will forever be in the comfort and presence of God!
- We also have received great provisions from God. We have received the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us and grants us access to a relationship with God (Romans 5:6-11). We have received God’s word, which guides and counsels us (Psalm 119:105). We have received the privilege of prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). We also have one another (Hebrews 3:12-13).
- No matter what challenges come our way, we must stay the course. We must never turn back. We must never even look back (Hebrews 3:14).
Conclusion:
Have you turned back?