Bondage in Egypt 

Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver and they brought Joseph to Egypt (Genesis 37:28).

Our story begins when Jacob sends Joseph to check on his brothers who are with the sheep herd. In their jealousy, they attack him, throw him into a pit, and sell him to a slave caravan. He ends up in Egypt where he experiences ups and downs as a slave, spends some time in prison for a crime he didn't commit, comes to Pharaoh's attention when he interprets his dreams, and ends up as the second in command over all of Egypt.

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it (Genesis 41:15).

Pharaoh's dreams told that seven years of prosperity would be followed by seven years of famine, so Joseph prepared Egypt for the difficult times. Eventually, his brothers come to Joseph seeking grain to take back to Canaan. As the famine continues, Joseph's father, brothers, and their families and livestock move to Egypt at Joseph's request and Pharaoh's invitation. Things went well for them at first.

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt. which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply and it come to pass, that when there falleth any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmaster, to afflict them with their burdens... (Exodus 18-11a).

But as new pharaohs come to the throne, the Israelites lose favor. After generations, the Israelites became so numerous the current pharaoh feared they might also become too powerful, so he took them captive and made slaves of them where they would remain for many more generations. Jacob and Joseph would never have imagined such a thing would happen to their descendants.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1).

Today, bondage still sneaks up on people. They think they can experiment with drugs or liquor and never get hooked. They believe they can view pornography, shoplift, gamble, or make other poor choices and it won't affect them. But sin always leads to some type of bondage. It's better not to get involved at all. However, there is a way out of bondage, and His name is Jesus. Just as God sent Moses to rescue the Israelites, He sent His son to rescue all that would accept Him. Whatever holds you down, He will lift you up and set you free if you'll let Him. And just like with Joseph, God can bring good out of the bad in our lives.

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