Back to Egypt

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December 19, 2015

Class Notes by

Larry R Evans
(Follow Twitter:  @DrLarryEvans)

Introduction

Oswald Chambers has observed, “When we are in an unhealthy state physically or emotionally, we always want thrills.  And in the spiritual domain, if we insist on getting thrills . . . it will end in the destruction of spirituality.” (Quoted in A Lifetime of Wisdom—Embracing the Way God Heals You, by Joni Eareckson Tada, p. 88.)  There weren’t a lot of “thrills” in the transition from the flesh pots of Egypt (Ex. 16:3) to the land of milk and honey (Ex 3:8). The bondage in Egypt (Ex. 20:2) was seemingly exchanged for a different kind of bondage in the wilderness (Ex. 16:3). Regardless, the people Moses was called to lead preferred Egypt to wandering in the desert. They had a selective memory. What they failed to see was what the wandering in the desert was meant to reveal:  They had an unhealthy spiritual experience with God. 

We begin our study today with the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon having already happened and a “remnant” being left behind in Judah.  Jeremiah had been given the opportunity to leave but he remained behind with those who had not been deported to Babylon. The few, the remnant left behind, first experience their own political anarchy that led to the assassination of the Babylonian appointed governor. Fear sweeps over them with the realization that Babylon will likely retaliate.  What should they do?  Should they run, hide or stay?  The story, we believe, reveal at least five timeless truths or principles that are relevant for us today.  We’ll address them in question form.

Reflective Questions Regarding Principles of Life Found in Israel’s Desire to Return to Egypt

1.            Unity is a blessing from God. True or False?

2.            Rebellion against God impacts the innocent as well as those who defy God’s will.  True or False?

3.            There is more to having a changed life than making a resolution?  (Jer. 42:6)  True or False?

4.            “Weaknesses can be strengths that are over extended or misapplied.”  True or False?

5.            God and Satan can both be participating in the same event but for different reasons.  True or False?

The Story in Brief

The king of Babylon left some faithful people made up of the poor and a small group of soldiers in Judah.

1.   Gedaliah was appointed as governor of Judah (Jer. 40:6-12) All the Babylonian captains pledged their loyalty to Gedaliah.  There was a traitor in their midst – Ishmael had been bribed by the Ammonites.

2.   Ishmael killed Gedaliah and the Babylonian soldiers.  He captured and led the remnant (Jer. 40:13-41:10) to Ammon.

3.   Johanan, one of the captains, chased Johanan and delivered the remnant.  The people were afraid of how Babylon might respond so they asked Jeremiah to consult God They assured Jeremiah that whatever God told him they would obey. (Jer 41:11-42:6). 

4.   God replied to Jeremiah: Return to Judah and submit to Babylon (Jer 42:7-22).

5.    Johanan and others didn’t like what Jeremiah told them and discredited the authenticity and authority of Jeremiah.  They wanted God to agree with their plans. They refused to obey God and went to Egypt where they thought they would be protected from the anger of the king of Babylon (Jer 43:1-7).

6.   Jeremiah prophesied at Egypt. He buried large stones in the Egyptian courtyard.  The meaning of the parable is clear. Though the Judean refugees have buried themselves in populous Egypt, they would be discovered.  They would feel the wrath of the Babylonians. (Jer 43:8-13)

7.   Judah rejected with arrogance God’s word. “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you!”   (Jer 44:16) They stated that as they worshipped idols during Manases’ reign, they “had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble.” (Jeremiah 44:17).

Timeless Principles Exposed from Judah’s Desire to Return to Egypt

1.            Unity is a blessing from God. True and False

In Judah’s experience described in Jeremiah (Jer. 43:4) the people were unified but unified to “disobey.”  Jeremiah was clearly out numbered.  Unity can be built around the wrong principle and certainly that is not the blessing of God.

2.            Rebellion against God impacts the innocent as well as those who defy God’s will.  True  

Over and over again innocent and faithful people have suffered because of the rebellion of some.  A review of the story of Cain and Able (Gen. 4) illustrates this very clearly. Gideon showed faith but later his apostasy led to others following his lead and suffering the consequences.

Gideon’s example shows the power of the few when faithful.  We sing the praise of Gideon when he was victorious with so few but nevertheless faithful men.  However, that same Gideon, right after saying that he would not rule over them but the Lord would,  asked that each one contribute one earring from their plunder. The gold was then formed into an ephod causing all Israel to prostitute themselves “ worshiping it there and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.” (Judges 8:23-27).  As soon as Gideon died the Israelites worshiped the Baals again. The faithfulness of Gideon was forgotten. (Judges 8:35)

3.            There is more to having a changed life than making a resolution?  (Jer. 42:6)   True

The words  of Johanan and the army officers sounded so good:  “Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.”  Ten days later, only ten days later!!, when Jeremiah had given the word from the Lord, the people turned on Jeremiah and called him a liar because they didn’t like the message.

4.            “Weaknesses can be strengths that are over extended or misapplied.”  True  

The people showed they had the ability to come together, to act in a united manner and to even have influence with the non-Israelites called the Ammonites.  Let’s recognize this for what it is – that is a strength.  The problem is that they overextended that strength to the point where they used it to rebel against God.

When I served as a church consultant we found that the recognition of this principle was very important.  All churches, all church memebers have weaknesses.  Often, however, if we trace the weakness back farther we can find a strength on which to build a whole new strategy.  I believe this is what God was doing with Israel.  He wanted them to realize they had a weakness and if left alone or if is joined with other influences that will weaken them (Egypt in this case) it would lead to their destruction.  However, if they would allow God to do His work in their lives he would use the exposed weakness as a basis for making them even stronger but they would have to place their trust in Him.

5.            God and Satan can both be participating in the same event but for different reasons.  True 

This is a principle or timeless truth that I’ve picked up from Joni Eareckson Tada and from my own study regarding the experience of suffering found in the Bible.  Adventists like to refer to this as the playing out of the “great controversy.”  The very same event can have the participation of God and Satan.  So much is determined by our own power of choice.  The classic text for the support of this principle is found in Romans 8:28 –

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

An alternative translation of the last part of this verse would be that “God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good.”

What is our safeguard?  With the world of evil surrounding each of us where is our security?  Where is out hope?  This brings us to our concluding statement.

Reflective Conclusion to the Call to “Return to Egypt”

“Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by them unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ.” 

-- Ellen White, Lift Him Up, January 7