“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” [1]
(Hosea 11:1)
The theme of bondage and deliverance runs deep throughout the course of Scripture. As early as the first chapter of Exodus we begin reading of the physical oppression of God’s chosen people Israel, slaves to Egyptian rule, which continued for 400 grueling years before God executed their deliverance under the leadership of Moses.
But as difficult as this was for the children of Israel, this historic biblical example pales in comparison to the reality that we are all born into bondage—slaves to sin and subject to Satan. And yet, in many ways our own spiritual captivity parallels the Israelites’ physical slavery under Pharaoh. As the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 11:8, the power that holds us is like a ‘spiritual Egypt.’ And just like the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt was riddled with risks, setbacks, and seeming impossibilities, fleeing our spiritual Egypt is no less a Herculean task, fraught with obstacles.
Our current-day challenges take the form of such pitfalls as our own human logic which argues against the rationality of God’s plan for salvation (Rom. 8:7). Or our hollow sense of self-confidence leading us to believe we are secure in our existing spiritual state when, in reality, we are completely blind to our true condition (Prov. 28:26). Additional detours to freedom from spiritual bondage include an undue level of faith in God’s mercy while ignoring His justice (Rom. 6:1-2), believing we walk in light when we’re really living in darkness (Matt. 7:21-23), and choosing to continue in our natural state that blatantly opposes God’s laws (Rom. 8:7).
Still, freedom from this bondage is possible and attainable if we believe, as Moses did, in the almighty power and everlasting love of God. Moses successfully led the Israelites to freedom from Egyptian bondage by faith (Heb. 11:27). And it is this same faith in Christ that frees us from sin’s clutches and dominion still today. Through faith in the true God who is All in All, we navigate the wilderness of this world on our journey to the promised rest of the believer just as the Israelites journeyed their way through the wilderness desert on their way to Canaan, the land of promise that flowed with milk and honey (Heb. 11:29).
To be sure, the venture is risky, for we are staking the vitality of our eternal souls on the promises of a God we cannot see. But continuing to remain in spiritual bondage only leads to eternal death in hell. Placing our faith in God and His promises, on the other hand, is never a leap in the dark but instead a step into a life of light, guided by His Word.
So if you feel the pull of the Holy Spirit to follow Christ, take that step of faith. Abandon your spiritual Egypt, cast off the shackles of sin’s bondage, and begin your journey to the spiritual Canaan that awaits you, just as it awaited the Israelites.
Contemplations:
- Carnal Reasoning vs. Faith: I often find myself leaning on my own understanding, rather than trusting God’s wisdom. This mental struggle reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans 8:7, that the carnal mind is at enmity against God. This I must avoid.
- Self-Confidence: I’ve realized that self-assurance can be a hindrance to recognizing my need for God. Proverbs 28:26 warns, “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walks wisely, he shall be delivered.”
- Vain Hopes: When I consider the vain hopes that occupy my thoughts, it’s humbling. Romans 6:1-2 makes it clear that God’s grace isn’t a free pass for sin. I need to balance hope with an understanding of God’s justice.
- Journey of Faith: The path from spiritual bondage to freedom feels like a journey through a desert. Hebrews 11:29 recounts how the Israelites crossed the Red Sea by faith. Similarly, it is faith that carries me through the wilderness of life. By understanding our spiritual bondage and the path of deliverance, we can better appreciate the magnitude of God’s grace and the essential role of faith in our spiritual journey.
Further References for Hosea 11:1:
Exod. 4:22; Matt. 2:15; Deut. 7:8; Hosea 2:15
[1] “Matthew 2:15 states that Christ was carried into Egypt “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt have I called my Son.’” This has reference to that prophesy in Hosea 11:1 [which specifically refers to] God calling his people out of Egypt. The Matthew passage is referring to Christ, as the Holy Spirit does not only apply Scripture according to the primary sense, but allegorically for us as well…” Jeremiah Burroughs, The Excellency of Holy Courage in Evil Times, (London: Peter Cole and Edward Cole, 1661), 185.
