Egypt appears throughout the Bible as a place of both refuge and bondage. It first emerges in Genesis 12:10, when Abraham went there during a famine. Later, it became central in the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery and rose to power under Pharaoh (Genesis 41:41), saving many lives through God’s wisdom.
Egypt then became the place where the Israelites lived and grew into a great nation. However, over time, Egypt turned from a refuge into a land of slavery. Exodus 1:13-14 says, “So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor… and made their lives bitter with hard bondage.” This oppression led to the Exodus, where God displayed His power through signs and wonders, bringing His people out with a mighty hand (Exodus 12:51).
Egypt came to symbolize bondage to sin and the world. God repeatedly reminded Israel not to return there, both physically and spiritually (Deuteronomy 17:16; Isaiah 30:1-2).
In the New Testament, Egypt again served as a place of refuge. Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. Matthew 2:15 says, “Out of Egypt I called My Son,” fulfilling prophecy from Hosea 11:1.
Prophets also spoke of Egypt’s judgment and its future role in the millennial kingdom. Isaiah 19:21 foretells a time when Egypt will know the Lord and worship Him alongside other nations.
Egypt stands as a reminder of God’s deliverance, the dangers of worldly entanglement, and His ability to use even foreign lands to accomplish His redemptive plan.
