Day 5 – Egypt: Jesus’ Temporary Home

“And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet, “out of Egypt I called my son’” (Matthew 2:15).

When Charles Spurgeon preached on this verse, he began his sermon this way:

“Egypt occupies a very singular position toward Israel. It was often the shelter of the seed of Abraham. Abraham himself went there when there was a famine in the land of his sojourn. To Egypt Joseph was taken that he might escape from the death intended for him by his envious brethren and become the foster-father of the house of Israel. Into Egypt, as we all well know, went the whole family of Jacob, and there they sojourned in a strange land. There Moses acquired the learning which was so useful to him.”

He points out that while God sometimes sent his children to Egypt to protect them, he always delivered them from Egypt later. So, Moses and the children of Israel came “out of Egypt” delivered through the dessert and the Red Sea. They needed Egypt for protection, but they were never meant to say there forever.

Details about Jesus and His parents’ stay in Egypt is not really defined. They really don’t matter much. But what we know is God protected Jesus by sending Him into Egypt just at the right time.

We however only understand this story in reverse. And once again we see the sovereign hand of God. Their flight from Herod turns out to the great merciful act from the Lord.

So, it is for you and I, God often sends us to “Egypt” to protect us and to prepare us for what is to come.

Stop fighting because you feel like you are in Egypt (Killeen) today. It may seem like punishment or a detour, but it may turn out to be a great gift from God. Your trials may be only as temporary as the Master’s stay in Egypt but know it is the providential hand issuing you a gift from heaven.

Trust Him even when you cannot trace Him. He knows what He is doing even when we cannot see it.

Father, help us to trust You when the forward is unclear. Let me not be afraid to take the next step even if it appears that step will lead me to Egypt. Amen.