In the Scriptures Egypt symbolizes the world system and, to the born again believer in Jesus Christ, it is a type of the old life. It pictures a place of bondage and affliction, a place where life is ruled by a cruel taskmaster. Our heavenly Father, however, has a plan of redemption that has many phases, among which is deliverance from Egypt, from the old way of life, and from this present evil, fallen world system.
The prophet Jeremiah delivered God’s message to the remnant of Judah, saying, “Do not go to Egypt!” Isaiah had to deliver God’s rebuke to His children for going down to Egypt to seek counsel, strength and security. The apostle John warned: “Do not love the world or the things in the world.”
From time to time in our walk, we may get faint, weary, or disillusioned. Our prayers don’t seem to be answered, and God’s Word isn’t as exciting as it once was. You know what I’m talking about – a ‘dry’ season. Satan, like a predator, patiently sits at the door of your thoughts whispering, ‘Go back to the old life.’
You see, the devil loves it when we take matters out of God’s hands back into our own. We must remember that anything Satan says is a lie, and the world that he rules over is a web of deceit. As our soul’s enemy, the devil wants us to be devoured in and by Egypt. Saints, when the flood of compromise or temptation arises, God’s commands are clear – submit to Him and resist the devil!
We resist the evil one by agreeing with the Word of God. God’s Word is truth, and truth is reality. God desires that we live in reality, but Satan wants us to walk in confusion, darkness, and unreality. One reality that we must face is that, even as Christians, our flesh is unredeemed and absolutely good for nothing, totally void of a love for Jesus or God’s kingdom. It is our spirit that is redeemed, which means there is continual warfare. But in this battle called life, thank God that we can rely on Jesus’ strength when we are weak. Thank God that we can talk to our Father and cast all of our cares, big or small, at His feet. Thank God that we have each other during those difficult times.
Satan will never stop harassing the child of God this side of Glory. Moreover, he’s very experienced and a master at deception. However, who has ever prospered by resisting God’s will and returning to Egypt? So when the enemy starts tickling your ears with the promise of an ‘all expense paid trip back to Egypt,’ remember that Jesus says, ‘Don’t go there.’ “Come to Me.”
