Egypt

The great civilization along the Nile River that played a paradoxical role in Israel’s history—both the place of refuge and the “house of bondage” from which God dramatically delivered His people. Egypt’s encounters with Israel reveal God’s sovereignty over the mightiest empires and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Egypt first became refuge when famine drove Jacob’s family to seek grain there. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, had risen to become Pharaoh’s vizier through divine providence and his gift for interpreting dreams. Joseph’s position allowed him to save both Egypt and his family during seven years of famine, fulfilling God’s promise that through Abraham’s seed “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The Israelites prospered in Goshen for generations.

But “there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). The Hebrews were enslaved, their sons ordered killed, and their suffering produced the desperate cries that moved God to raise up Moses as deliverer. Through ten devastating plagues culminating in the death of Egypt’s firstborn, God displayed His power over Egypt’s gods and compelled Pharaoh to release Israel. The Exodus through the parted Red Sea became the defining moment of Israel’s identity—the demonstration that the LORD is God.

Centuries later, Egypt again provided refuge when Joseph and Mary fled there with the infant Jesus to escape Herod’s massacre, fulfilling Hosea’s prophecy: “Out of Egypt I called my son” (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15). This flight recapitulated Israel’s history, with Jesus reliving His people’s experience. Egypt thus bookends salvation history—from slavery to exodus, from refuge to return.