Exodus 13:19
‘Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.”’
Thus the Egypt period ends. It started with Joseph being the first and establishing a safe environment. It ends with Joseph’s remains being carried out. This was quite a chapter. The Hebrews started as royalty and had the best of the land. After some time they became slaves.
The book of Hebrews speaks of Egypt as a type of ‘the world’: 11:24-26: “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”
Jesus came across the worldly system. It was mainly Rome. Herod was tormented by John the Baptist’s moral charges. It was about whom Herod chose to marry and it’s circumstances. He eventually had John killed. Herod later mocked Jesus during His trial. Jesus wouldn’t gratify him with an answer.
The world is not a friend to Christians presenly. 1 John 2:16,17 says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” Advertising taps into the lust of the eyes. We are always after that next thing. The lust of the flesh would be the immoral cravings. The boastful pride of life is the arrogance that all of us wrestle with. The world’s allure is strong. However, the lesson of Egypt is that if we submit to it, we’ll be enslaved by it.
Abraham’s nephew, Lot, is a good example of what it’s like to be a christian in a worldly system. 2 Peter 2:7,8 says, “righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),” At times it’s difficult to live by God’s standards.
One of the reasons why The Lord wants us to attend church regularly is to encourage one another. We get beat down and discouraged. When we go to church, we get a half time pep talk. “Hang in there…God’s strength is with you.” We are also encouraged in our numbers. There are others “fighting the good fight”.
Just as Joseph didn’t even want his dead bones to remain in Egypt (the world), so we are to “choose Christ”. Though there will be the allure, we are to align ourselves with Him. Though we feel the pressure to join, we are to stay true to Christ. Lord, help us to remain with You.