“Adjusted to Captivity.”

The evil report from ten of the twelve spies that had gone to “spy out the land of Caanan,” had no sooner come out of their mouths than the children of Israel began to murmur and complain again. It was not just the murmuring and complaining that angered God, it was their “I would have been better off in Egypt” attitude. Did they not remember that they had been slaves? Did they not remember that they had been beaten constantly, for not working hard enough? Did they not remember that many died at an early age, from carrying all the heavy rocks, etc., used to make false gods? Did they not remember that they had raped their wives and taken their daughters at will? Did they not remember they had “never received mercy or love” until the God of Moses performed ten miracles of plagues, but yet protected them? Did they forget that they left Egypt “very rich” in silver and gold, and that God went before them in a cloud by day and pillar by night? Did they forget that the Red Sea stood up on a heap, Bible scholars said, “12 feet higher or more,” and then crushed their very enemies that had held them captive?

Maybe they forgot about the miracle of the manna that fell every morning and the quails that God sent them, and the water from the rock, that fed 1,000,000 people each day, and never let their clothes or shoes wear out? No. Now it was “let us make a captain and return to Egypt!” They had adjusted themselves to captivity, even though God worked miracle after miracle for them, and even after He loved them!

It is the same now. Some people have been “adjusted to the captivity,” of their job and their boss, who treats them “like a slave in Egypt.” They are adjusted to their husband beating them, putting them down, and not treating them with love… Or they are that husband whose wife is verbally abusive and controlling. Some people have adjusted to being slaves, captives of their children and letting them do what they want. Others are held captive and have adjusted to a life of alcohol, substance abuse, and other abuse, and even though they come out for a little while, “they return to Egypt.” It is heartbreaking, because God only wants the “very best for them.”

Today, if you are one of these, “get out of Egypt” and let God take control! Egypt might be something else, but if it keeps you in bondage, makes you sad or depressed, and makes you feel “there’s no way out,” there is! It takes a brave person to “walk through that door,” but you can do it! “Get out of Egypt and don’t look back! God has better things for you!”

Sherry