We continue to introduce second period in the times of Israel —Bondage in Egypt.

Bondage in Egypt (Part 2)

2 Timeless Principles

From the bondage in Egypt we learn some unchanging principles...

1 God does not play games.

There is a school of thought which holds that the God of the Old Testament was somewhat cruel and fickle —a God who played games with people's lives. David put the true case: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Psa 34:19) . Although the times of Israel included times of affliction, such as their slavery in Egypt, nevertheless God had a purpose and a plan for his people. So he said to Jacob, "Do not fear to go down to Egypt" (Gen 46:3-4) . Whatever betide them, God was with them to help. He was not moving people from place to place and watching them go through their ups and downs in order to amuse himself. He was bringing his plan to pass.

2 God is aware of his people's sufferings.

The people were in bondage for nearly four hundred years, and they may have thought God had forgotten them, but not so. He had always been aware of their troubles. He said to Moses, "I have surely seen the opression of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows" (Exo 3:7-10) .

3 God's promises stand no matter what.

When God makes a promise, the most important thing is "that the promise might be sure to all the seed" (Rom 4:13-16) . It is not important to God that he fulfil the promise tomorrow or within three business days. He always fulfilled his promises "when the fulness of time came" (Gal 4:4) . This has been God's track record, and he won't change. Whatever might seem to delay him, however long he might seem to take, God fulfills his promises "at the right time" (Rom 5:6) .

4 Trouble is not necessarily deserved.

Sometimes people bring troubles on themselves, but not all trouble is like that. The downs in Joseph's life were not due to any fault of his. The slavery in Egypt was not something the children of Israel brought upon themselves, or that they deserved. One could not even say that God brought these troubles upon them. God does not cause distress and tribulation. Rather, he "causes all things to work together for our good" (Rom 8:28) . Somehow, God turns the painful things of this world into the joyous salvation of our souls, and in the end will wipe every tear from our eyes. "Through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22) .

5 Trouble mostly comes between good days.

Sometimes when bad times come, we forget that there have been good times, and there will be good times again. Even in their bondage, the children of Israel could listen to the stories passed down to them, of how God had been with them and made promises which, one day, would be fulfilled. So they could have hope. Our attitude toward trouble should be that which is set out in Philippians 4:4-8. We can rejoice and have peace, if we realise that trouble only comes between good days. We can remember the good days gone, and hope for the good days to come.