I have always known that God “often” reminded the Israelites that He “brought them out of the land of Egypt.” If you are a Bible student, I’m sure you probably have known that too. However, the other day I decided to check out just how often was often.
I don’t know exactly how many times I expected to find God reminding the Israelites that He “brought them out of the land of Egypt”, but I can tell you that I certainly wasn’t thinking 71. That’s right, in the holy scriptures, God pointed out to His children that He “brought them out of the land of Egypt” 71 times. Why so many times? Why the same wording? Why remind them of Egypt over and over and over again?
And not only did He remind them of it often in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (1450-1400 BC), when He was doing the actual delivering, but 29 of those reminders are years later. In fact, the Holy Spirit was still inspiring Old Testament writers to mention it during the 70 year Babylonian captivity (606-536 BC). David mentions it in the Psalms, Isaiah and Jeremiah draw attention to it, Amos and Hosea do the same, even Daniel and Ezekiel remind the captives in Babylon that God brought them out of the land of Egypt. Why?
Answer: God knew that every generation of Israelites needed to be reminded of the WHO, WHERE and WHEN of their deliverance as a nation. Every generation of Israelites needed to remember that they were indebted to their God, even if they never set foot in Egypt.
Remembering when God delivered us from our slavery is critical whether it is a nation or a person. That is how this whole subject applies to us today. When was your deliverance? Where did it happen? Who was your deliverer?
Heb 2:14-15 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Col 1:13 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,”
1 Thess 1:9-10 “… you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
Gal 1:3-4 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age
There once was a day when you were enslaved by the power of darkness, trapped in chains by the prince of this world, tempted into a pit of sin in your Egypt. Then came that day when everything changed, that day when the “who” of your deliverance set you free; His name was Jesus and He “brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Oh, it wasn’t really Egypt, just the land of your slavery. It is a good thing for you and I to be reminded of that day “often”, just like the Israelites. Remember that day, cherish that day, shed tears of joy about that day. And every time that day surfaces in your mind and heart, once again give all the glory to God for your freedom. Shout out a big THANK YOU one more time that He “brought you out of the land of Egypt.” God bless.
Mike Sublett is a pastor at Hi-Land Christian Church, 1615 N. Banks St., Pampa, Texas 79065. Email him at pawdad@nts-online.net.
