In the book of Exodus, we see the nation of Israel finally set free from the brutal slavery of the Egyptians, and embark on a journey of freedom. It only takes a few days, however, for the grumbling to start, and the Lord shows his power to provide with the quail and manna. Then when they reach the promised land, they hear the report, and grumble again. "Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:3). Are you kidding me? They wanted to go back to slavery! What was so bad that they wanted to go back to being beaten, killed, and forced to build shrines to foreign gods? It was probably the most frightening thing in humanity: the unknown.
At least in Egypt, they knew what to expect. It was slavery, sure, but at least they knew they had food, a place to live, and as long as they did their work they would survive. Here they would have to fight enemies that looked terrifying, grow their own food, and face danger. That was slave thinking.
It took two generations, or 40 years of wandering in the desert, for the Israelites to stop thinking like slaves, and start thinking like soldiers. As children of God, we are soldiers, but too often we think like slaves. We pine for the "good old days" when life was more secure, more peaceful, and more predictable. The problem with predictable is that it doesn't leave a lot of room for faith. We can sometimes find ourselves wanting to "go back to Egypt."
God has once again reminded me I need to stop putting my security in the things of this world, and put it in him. I don't want to be OK because I have a good job or solid investments. I want to be victorious because I trust the Lord in everything and with everything, including my family. Lord help us all to stop thinking like slaves, and start living like soldiers so God can do all he has planned for us. Wouldn't that be the greatest legacy to leave our children?
At least in Egypt, they knew what to expect. It was slavery, sure, but at least they knew they had food, a place to live, and as long as they did their work they would survive. Here they would have to fight enemies that looked terrifying, grow their own food, and face danger. That was slave thinking.
It took two generations, or 40 years of wandering in the desert, for the Israelites to stop thinking like slaves, and start thinking like soldiers. As children of God, we are soldiers, but too often we think like slaves. We pine for the "good old days" when life was more secure, more peaceful, and more predictable. The problem with predictable is that it doesn't leave a lot of room for faith. We can sometimes find ourselves wanting to "go back to Egypt."
God has once again reminded me I need to stop putting my security in the things of this world, and put it in him. I don't want to be OK because I have a good job or solid investments. I want to be victorious because I trust the Lord in everything and with everything, including my family. Lord help us all to stop thinking like slaves, and start living like soldiers so God can do all he has planned for us. Wouldn't that be the greatest legacy to leave our children?
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