Coming out of Egypt

Coming Out of Egypt: An Exodus from Idolatry

• The exodus from Egypt is a result of the idolatry of ancient Egypt and the current church.

• Egypt is a type of the world, with all systems and kingdoms belonging to the adversary.

• The Devil promised to give the splendor and authority to Yeshua/Jesus, but Yeshua/Jesus refused.

• Yeshua/Jesus stated that his Kingdom is not from this world, preventing conflicts between his servants and the Judeans.

• The Hebrew nation was required to leave Egypt, as their culture was entwined with the world's ways and Egyptian gods.

• The Hebrews' long slavery in Egypt led many to forget their ancestors' reasons for moving to Egypt.

• The question arises whether Messianic believers truly come out of Egypt in light of today's world systems and cultures.

Are we truly delivered from bondage?

The Israelites' Rejection of Egyptian Culture

• The Israelites, after physical deliverance from Egypt, had to leave Egyptian culture behind.

• Desires from unclean spirits attached to their flesh and mindsets screamed when God gave Moses new instructions for living a life based on His ways.

• The Israelites longed for melons, garlic, cucumber, and fish, and a strong craving for other food. This longing for what they had left behind was dangerous and deadly for believers.

• Yeshua/Jesus warned that no one is fit for the Kingdom of God after looking back.

• Jesus advised those considering becoming His disciples to first count the cost.

• The new instructions were restrictive to their life and behavior, leading to a desire for old ways of promiscuous freedom.

• The mixed multitude, who left Egypt with the Hebrews, were likely those who murmured, complained, and influenced others to be discontent.There are many words in Hebrew for lusting.

  • Strong’s Hebrew: 5689. עָגַב (agab) - to have inordinate affection

  • Strong’s Hebrew: 185. אַוַּת (avvah)/desire - and comes from the root word Avah, which means lusting after bodily desires, not just food but sexual desires as well; and in this case it was more than likely a reference to forbidden sexual relationships. Sexual vices were acceptable for Egyptians but not under Moses.

  • Lusting – ה,תאוו | Numbers 11:4-6: And the mixed multitude that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again,

  • Numbers 11:4 - HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ הִתְאַוּ֖וּ תַּאֲוָ֑ה וַיָּשֻׁ֣בוּ | NAS: were among them had greedy | KJV: that [was] among them fell a lusting: and the children | INT: who were among had greedy again

  • Strongs 183 avah: to incline, desire, covet, greatly desire, be desirous, long, lust after. | Original Word: אָוָה | Part of Speech: Verb | Transliteration: avah | Phonetic Spelling: (aw-vaw’) | Definition: to incline, desire | In verse 6 it reads, there is nothing at all, | in Hebrew; Eyn kel bilethi. | Literally means: without any responsibility or law.

• Promised freedom led to jealousy, hatred, selfishness, abuse, crime, and disregard for others. It is the most destructive force to the family unit, causing harsh treatment of foreigners.

• Material pleasure is often derived from comparing one's own possessions to those of their neighbors.

• Today, many countries have lifted restrictions on lifestyles once frowned upon and illegal.

• Acts 14:15 and Leviticus 17:7 encourage turning from these vices to the living God.

• They are commanded to no longer offer sacrifices to devils or goat idols, a lasting ordinance for generations to come.

  • The word in 17:7 is se’irm – goat idols, which many Hebrew scholars identify with the Egyptian goat deities.

• Egyptians worshipped lamb, sheep, and goats in association with gods/unclean spirits/demonic entities, named banebedjedet and knhum.

• The ram or sheep deities were believed to be the appearance of other gods due to the same sound in the Egyptian language.

• The annual flooding of the Nile brought silt and clay, believed to be created by the sheep/goat gods.

• Pharaoh's daughter, Moses, was fascinated by the child found floating down the Nile, believed to be a direct gift from the god knhum.

• The placement of the Passover lamb, a picture of the god khumn, was significant to the Egyptians.

• Leviticus 17:8 warned the children of Israel to avoid sacrificing to the se’irm or the goat/sheep god.

• The wilderness was believed to be the home of field demons and unclean spirits associated with the goat and sheep.

• Birds were offered to these sheep/goat gods as an act of atonement, releasing the soul of the bird to carry the disease back to the desert.

• While worshipping and serving the One True God, many Hebrews justified a service to pagan gods for extra protection against diseases.

Is there a possible connection to what the Apostles were addressing in Acts 14:15.?

The Christian Perspective on Pagan Worship and the Law

• The Christian perspective on pagan worship is reflected in Acts 14:15, where some Jews interpreted Hebraic laws to allow pagan worship while serving the One true living God.

• This religious combining was condemned by the Apostles, but it's not a quick condemnation, The Bible encourages Christians to cleanse themselves from foreign gods and come out of Egypt's traditions and worldliness.

• The Bible warns against deception with empty words, urging believers to walk as children of light.

• A final warning from the Messiah is found in Revelation 18:4 KJV, urging believers to avoid sin and plague.

• This is important for believers in Messiah Jesus/Yeshua if we do not want to experience the plagues described in this book to come upon us. The questions we must ask ourselves are:

  • Have we truly and fully come out of Egypt (the world), or do we still have one foot in it?

  • Do we still have any idols in our lives that take precedence over our Heavenly Father that we need to cast down?

• Make certain Messiah Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion. You are very precious in His sight.

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Let’s quickly look at the account of Abram and Sarai in Genesis and how it is linked to Egypt:

• Genesis 16:2 | Abram listened to Sarai and did as she said. The voice of those closest to us can bring confusion and lead us to sin and disobey God because of the state of sin and unbelief in their hearts regarding the promises of God.

• Genesis 16:3 | Hagar was an Egyptian maid. Later in Genesis, Egypt symbolises bondage and slavery. Hagar was not a believer, and having her around could have also brought a compromise of values and beliefs into their space.

• Genesis 16:7 | Hagar was visited by an angel of the Lord. Regardless of the mistake that Abram made, God's heart of compassion is seen towards Hagar. He cleans up the mess his children (Abram and Sarai) made. God makes himself known to Hagar (an unbeliever) and offers her protection should she obey His instruction.

• Genesis 17:1 | God appears 14 years later and instructs Abram to not disobey and reaffirms His promise to make him great. The sin of disobedience delayed or prolonged Abraham's promise of an heir by 14 years.

• Genesis 17:2 | Abram's response is one of humility and worship. God has broken him, and his posture and response to God confirm this.

• Genesis 17:10 | God initiates a covenant with Abram and his people via circumcision. Abram is ready and quick to obey.

• Genesis 17:15 | God changes Abram and Sarai's names. God signaled a new stage in His relationship with Abram by changing his name to Abraham. This name is very similar to the Hebrew phrase meaning "father of a multitude," emphasizing that Abraham will be the father of nations and that kings would come from him. Now God tells Abraham that his wife Sarai's name is to be changed to Sarah. Both names apparently mean princess, though in the following verse God will call her the "mother of nations." While this seems like a slight change, it marks a significant new season in God's work in and through Sarah as well.

• Genesis 17:20 | God even hears our prayers concerning mistakes and failures made in our past by taking care of them. God reassured Abraham concerning Ishmael.

• Genesis 18:2 | Abraham is visited by the angels of God. Angels confirmed Isaac would be born a year from their visit, which means this was an angelic visitation (just like Mary) and Sarah would be pregnant in the next 3 months or so.

• Genesis 18:22 | Abraham prays and pleads with God for the prodigal (Lot), and the Lord answers Abraham. In the midst of awaiting his promise, Abraham still had the heart to think about others and intercede for them for God's mercy to be shown. God responded favourably. While waiting on God for the fullness of our promise, we can continue to intercede for others around us.

• Genesis 20:1 | Abraham still navigates in fear as he lied to Abimelech and said Sarah was his sister. The lie could have yet again compromised the promise of Isaac, but God intervened and put a stop to it.

• Genesis 21:1 | The promise is fulfilled. Isaac is born.

• Genesis 21:8 | Some mistakes made in disobedience in the past can continue to cause conflict in the present. Conflict between Ishamael and Isaac shows conflict between those born of the promise and those born of the flesh.

• Genesis 21:12–14 | God provided a solution and asked that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. Get rid of the flesh. There is no reconciliation, no peaceful coexistence. Release yourself from this bondage. Trust God and let Egypt (bondage) go, no matter how close it is to our hearts.

Prayer:

 Lord, let Your Word remove every unholy character and nature from me. Search me and purify my heart from every filth and guilt Lord, in Jesus’ Name. I refuse to be entangled with the sinful activities of the world. Though in the world, I refuse to be like the people of the world. I ask that the Word of God remove every “Egypt” from my mind. Spirit of the LORD, circumcise my heart to make me live completely and wholly for God in Jesus’ Name.