A Nation Already Free

This blog post is Part 3 of a series entitled "From Fear To Freedom" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: February 11, 2024

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Consider this: Can I be free yet still live in oppression, persecution and captivity?

I say, “Yes!” And today… I am going to prove to you this very real truth. You know… fear can lead a person to do the unthinkable! Fear is such a powerful and equally paralyzing emotion. And if not kept in-check, fear too can lead to catastrophic outcomes…We ended our study last week with Joseph being reunited with his brothers, his father, and his entire family from Canaan. We too know that upon having his family settle as foreigners in a foreign land with him in Egypt, Joseph demands that his brothers tell a lie to the Pharaoh. Did you know this?

Even though Pharaoh has bestowed upon Joseph the rule over all of Egypt directly beneath him; even though Joseph is revered by all throughout Egypt; and even though Joseph is second in command in the most impressive and massive and most powerful nation on the planet, Joseph too carries a fear! It's a subtle fear. Nonetheless, it is a fear Joseph harbors for his people. And rightly so, it is the reason driving this fear that will be so very pivotal to God’s people when the life-story of Moses begins.

The book of Exodus begins as a continuation of the ending of the book of Genesis. As a matter of fact, in several translations of the Holy Scriptures, Exodus 1 begins with the word “And,” making the statement that how the book of Exodus begins is simply a continuation of how the book of Genesis ends.

Exodus / Hebrew/ = Exit; going out.

We are going to see that this is exactly what occurs with God’s people as they “go out exiting” the place in which they have been foreigners in a foreign land for 400 years. Yet, we too are going to see that there is much more to this moment in history than “exiting.” Exodus is both a story of delivering a nation and the birth of a nation.

Exodus 1:1-14

The family of Jacob who initially went to Egypt totaled only 70. However, by the time the nation of Israel leave Egypt 400+ years later, look at their number:

… one beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone who had crossed over to those counted, twenty years old or more, a total of 603,550 men. Exodus 38:26b

There is much more to this passage than we are to discuss today. But notice Scripture states that there were 603,550 men who crossed over – crossed over what? The Red Sea. When accounting too for women and children, this number is believed to be around 2 million people. We know this about Egypt – Egypt is an extremely ancient land. As a matter of fact, it is so ancient that scholars cannot tell for sure an exact date as to when its history began. An estimation of dates as to the first Egyptian dynasty range from 5500 BC to 3100 BC, which means Egypt’s dominant place on the world stage could very well date as far back as 5 and a half millennia before the birth of the Christ. What we do know is that Egypt has been thriving as an empire at least 1,000 years before the Israelites settle in Goshen under the Pharoah who embraced the move Joseph’s family made to Egypt. We studied this last week.

It has been estimated that there have been 31 different dynasties in Egypt’s lengthy history. These dynasties have been grouped into primarily 8 Periods. Though again, historians are a little cloudy on all of this, these grouped Periods help us better understand the timeline within which we are studying all that God does with His people in this part of the world. This timeline will too help us better understand some extremely important information. For example, I present this to you in a question:

Why did Egypt, and specifically the Pharaoh, treat God’s people with such contempt? I’ve asked this question often over the past few weeks. What do you believe the answer to be? I presume there are more than 2 reasons as to why the Egyptians, particularly Pharaoh has such disdain toward the Jews. However, I clearly see two reasons for such brutality:

1. Hate
See if by briefly learning of these 8 Egyptian Periods, you can connect the dots and answer the question as to why there is so very much hate directed at God’s people: 

The Periods of Egyptian Dynasties:

• Early Period [Dynasties I-II] 1-2: Egypt experienced significant growth during this time as the nation realized its vast supply of natural resources.
• Old Kingdom Period [Dynasties III-VI] 3-6: It is in this period that the great pyramids are built. It is believed the pyramids existed for at least 1,000 years before Moses stands before Pharaoh.
• First Intermediate Period [Dynasties VII - XI] 7-11: A very dysfunctional time period in the nation of Egypt. It appears the nation was overtaken by several local leaders that rose up against the Kingdom.
• The Middle Kingdom Period [Dynasties XII - XIII] 12-13: Thieves overtook and then ruled upper Egypt during this time.
• Second Intermediate Period [Dynasties XIV – XVII] (Hick-sos) 14-17: During this period, an alien people known as the Hyksos ruled Egypt. The Hyksos, branded as “Shepherd Kings,” greatly mistreated the Egyptian people.
• New Kingdom Period [Dynasties XVIII – XX] 18-20: These dynasties ruled at the peak of Egyptian power and influence. Rameses II ruled during this time and is considered to be the most famous of all the Pharaohs.
• Third Intermediate Period [Dynasties XXI – XXV] 21-25: During this period, Egyptian power, and their impact on the global community, took a significant downturn.
• The Late Period [Dynasties XXVI – XXXI] 26-31: It would be in 332 BC, when Alexander the Great would enter Egypt, thus ending the ancient history of the Egyptian nation.

In examining these Periods for the nation of Egypt, do you gather any hints as to why Egypt has such hate toward the Hebrews? Well… hold that thought and I will come back to this momentarily. Let me also provide to you a few unique characteristics of this extremely powerful nation:

1. River-dependent: Egypt is an extremely long country extending 600+ miles on both sides of the Nile River. In the south, the borders reach toward Sudan. In the north, the Nile Delta eventually empties into the Mediterranean Sea. To the west, there is only thousands of miles of desert across North Africa. And on the east lies the Great Arabian Desert. In Egypt, there is almost no annual rainfall. Even unto this day, Egypt receives less than 8 inches of annual rainfall. It is solely the Nile river that provides these Egyptians with enough water to live and grow crops. This is why the center of the country is so very developed on each of the sides of the Nile River.

2. Wealthy: Egypt grew tremendous amounts of produce in the Nile. They too were blessed with natural resources. Fish and waterfowl were in and all along the banks of the Nile. And the lush, green land along the banks of the river was ideal for raising cattle. Papyrus plants grew in the river delta areas which was used for an extremely important product we rely on everyday even unto today – paper! From these plants the Egyptians learned to produce mats, tents, baskets, shoes and even boats. Mountains in the East between the Nile and the Red Sea were mined for alabaster, granite and gold. The Egyptians will mind pretty much every important natural metal except for iron. Of course, with such rich agriculture and natural resources, Egypt became an extremely powerful and wealthy country.

3. Sophisticated: Egyptians were known for their education. With such an in-depth learning and training infrastructure the door was opened to the teaching and shaping of minds and culture, along with economic and political sway on the global stage. We also know the Egyptians developed an extremely unique and functional way of communicating via the usage of pictures known as hieroglyphs.

Hieroglyphs = Pictographic sacred writings; a stylized picture of an object representing a word, syllable, or sound

Many ancient examples of Hieroglyphs have been found in both Egyptian and Hebrew excavations. Interestingly, Hebrew Hieroglyphs have been discovered with drawings of people, assumedly Jews, working under the sun while having other people, assumedly Egyptian soldiers, standing over them holding what appears to be whips in hand. Egypt too kept meticulous historical records. They excelled in the creation of instruments, arts, writing music, and books. They developed sophisticated medicines. The first filling for a decayed tooth was developed in ancient Egypt, as well as the first documented surgery on the brain. The design mechanics and construction of the Egyptian tombs and pyramids also speak to the level of Egyptian sophistication in the areas of mathematics and engineering.

4. Pagan: The Egyptians worshipped just about anything, except Jehovah God. Crocodiles, cows, bulls, birds, plants, stars and even snakes were worshipped by the Egyptians. When Paul wrote of the depravity of mankind, he could have easily been referencing ancient Egypt when he said:

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Romans 1:21-23

5. Antisemitic: With such power and wealth and position and notoriety, sadly, it is only natural that a nation such as Egypt too possesses great arrogance. And this arrogance would eventually lead to racism, bigotry and a dreadful disdain and contempt for Jews. We first see a representation of this long before Moses is even born. It’s extremely subtle – very easy to miss if one is not looking for it. I presume Joseph’s brothers missed it too! As we discussed in tremendous detail last week, Joseph, after reuniting with his brothers, introduces his family to Pharaoh. But before doing so, he says this to them:

Genesis 46:26-34

Does this all seem odd to you? Again, if you are not looking for it, you’ll keep reading right past it. We know that Joseph’s brothers are shepherds of sheep, not livestock! But Joseph tells his brothers to say: “We tend livestock. We are keepers of livestock.” Why? Why lie? Why would Joseph tell his brothers, in their first conversation with the world’s most powerful man, to lie to his face? After all, this is the same man who has given Joseph a most amazing life of power and prestige. And this too is the man who in one command could have the very head of Joseph and the heads of Joseph’s entire family for lying to the King? Obviously Joseph knows something that his brothers do not. And this “something” is so monumental, Joseph is willing to take the risk in lying to his boss in order to protect his family. So… what’s this all about? It's really simple. Fear! Look at what the end of verse 34:

… you should answer, ‘Your servants have tended livestock from our boyhood on, just as our fathers did.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the region of Goshen, for all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.” Genesis 46:34

Joseph knows the Egyptians hate shepherds! Egyptians have a prejudice against shepherds. They think they are low class. So, Joseph is trying to get ahead of a potential prejudice on the part of Pharaoh and all Egyptians against his family and all Jews. So the obvious next question is, “Why?” “Why does this hatred exist?” Do you recall the timeline I provided earlier of the many Egyptian dynasties? I shared that in the era of the Second Intermediate Period, an alien people known as the Hyksos ruled Egypt. 

Second Intermediate Period [Dynasties XIV – XVII] (Hick-sos): During this period, an alien people known as the Hyksos ruled Egypt. The Hyksos, branded as “Shepherd Kings,” greatly mistreated the Egyptian people.

Because of their mistreatment of the Egyptian people by the Hyksos (Hick-sos), these people will not only be hated by the Egyptians for conquering their nation, but they too will also forever shape how future Egyptian leaders view and treat Jews. The Egyptians hated the Hyksos (Hick-sos) people because Egypt was conquered by them! What does this have to do with Joseph, his brothers, and the fact that the family business for these Jews was shepherding? Well, this is quite simple too! You see, as I mentioned in the Dynasty Period timeline I just shared:

Hyksos (Hick-sos) = Shepherd Kings

The Hyksos people were shepherds of sheep! In droves, these shepherds - field people - attacked and conquered all of Egypt. During their time of reign, they brutally mistreated the Egyptian people, and were thus labeled by the Egyptians as “Shepherd Kings.” Thus the hatred the Egyptian people carry for anyone associated with the business of sheepherding is monumental. The Pharaoh that meets Joseph’s family in Genesis 46 apparently ran cattle. Jacob’s sons herded sheep. So Joseph tells them to keep things generic when they answer the Pharaoh. However, for whatever reason, probably most of which is a nervousness over meeting the Pharaoh and a simple naiveness on their part, this is exactly opposite of what they do: Genesis 47:1-4

How interesting that Scriptures say absolutely nothing about any conversation the Pharaoh had with Joseph’s family except that of their occupation! He asks them no other question about life in Canaan, their health, how their journey was to Egypt, their hobbies… nothing! Or even if he did, Scriptures only speak to this one question. I’ve shared this with you before:

If it is important to God, it should be important to me!

Obviously, this question from Pharaoh to Joseph’s 5 brothers is important enough to God that He wants to make us privy to this conversation. Pharaoh could have asked the men any plethora of questions… and maybe he did! Scripture only details one!

Look at it again in verse 3: Genesis 47:3

I am convinced this topic was a huge deal to Pharaoh. Not only because Pharaoh asks this question. But too, because proceeding their introduction to the world’s most powerful man at this time, Joseph deemed it important enough to tell his brother’s to lie about their occupation to his boss! We don’t read another word about this encounter. Nor do we sense as we read on that Pharaoh mistreated Joseph’s family once hearing this news. However, you know how word gets around... Someone hears something and the gossip begins to fly! All it takes is a little news that sits sideways with someone, and well, as was the case throughout Egypt, gossip leads to antisemitism, then to slavery, and in the case of God’s people, eventual genocide! And what we do know is that a time is soon coming when the Pharoah of Joseph will pass. However, the bigotry toward the Jews is just beginning.

Again, it is in the Second Intermediate Period Dynasty, when ruled by invaders knows as the Hyksos (Hick-sos), that Egypt becomes engrossed in this hate, and too where the stage is set for Jewish history to later be impacted in a way in which, sadly, continues to manifest itself in a variety of injustices even unto today. A reminder for us today Church:

Any form of hatred left unchecked will inevitably manifest itself in ever-increasingly grotesque and unimaginable ways. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

1 John 2:9-11

This is exactly what we will soon see transpire in the heart of the Pharaoh of Moses’s time. The Pharoah will harbor hate within him. This hate will eventually blind him so that he cannot see the miracles happening before his very eyes nor the impact his blindness is having on his country’s health, sustainability, landscape, livestock and very lives. Such hate will lead him to do the unimaginable. Additionally, this hate will eventually cause not only the nation of Israel tremendous pain, but too the nation of Egypt, and even the entire family of the Pharaoh. So… Egypt, and specifically the Pharaoh, treat God’s people with such contempt because of: 

1. Hate. 

2. Fear

Exodus 1:6-10

Notice the wording in the King James Version of Scriptures the Pharaoh uses to describe the Hebrews. The King says:

… “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.” Exodus 1:9 KJV

Pharaoh calls God’s people a “mighty people.” And this “mighty people,” the Hebrews, multiplied in massive numbers. Of course, this is exactly what God promised Abraham would happen! Remember, we looked at this promise in detail over Part 1 and Part 2 of this study: Genesis 15:5

But after several centuries, the name “Joseph” became unknown to the new Pharaoh. And the result was a new man in charge who ruled by fear.

Exodus 1:11-14

With force and whips, the Egyptians built two new cities on the backs of Jews. One would think that such harsh labor in “brick and mortar” would bend the spirits of God’s chosen people. It did not. Yes, they became, as Scripture says, “bitter,” but they did not stop growing:

Exodus 1:12-13

Verse 12 uses a very specific word to describe how the nation of Egypt viewed God’s people. Do you notice it? It’s the word “dread.”

Dread /Hebrew/ kootz = to experience a feeling of horror; a sickening feeling or suspicion

You see the dread felt by the King, his officers, and the entire nation was not a dread like that felt of one having to merely get up and go to work the Monday after Super Bowl weekend! No, this dread is a dread saturated, a dread immersed, in fear – a feeling of horror accompanied with a nauseating sensation of suspicion. And so, the brutality was amplified. I know this to be the case for us each as humans. Though there are isolated cases for both the better and for the worst, this I can say is most typical of the human race:

I do not meditate on the art of inflicting injustice and viciousness upon another. However, when fear is in the mix, I am only one choice away from inflicting oppression and persecution upon another. Uncover the beast of brutality... and fear comes crawling out!

Now obviously, from person to person, the level and ways at which one’s personal fears manifest itself vary, but all too often, my fears and yours can lead us to do things we otherwise would not and in ways we most assuredly should not. When I exhale negativity, or gossip, or slander, either verbally or physically, I often do so out of fear – the fear of exposure, the fear of weakness, the fear of being “one-upped,” the fear of losing something I want… my comforts, my pleasures, my lifestyle, my expectations, and more…This was the case with the Pharaoh! And it too is often the case in my life and yours.

This is why it is so very important that one choose to examine, to self-reflect, one’s emotions and feelings on a regular basis. If we do not keep our emotions in check, such insecurity, such fears, will compound and compound until they eventually surface… or explode. And often, as was the case with the Egyptians, they can manifest in the most inhumane and repugnant savagery known to man.

I have noted through my years of ministry how so very many people are driven by fear. And in so very many cases, these fears drive people to do the regrettable and unimaginable. This is why the Psalmist wrote this simple, yet profound, approach we are to take with facing our fears:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Psalm 56:3

King David penned this Psalm to the Lord. David understood just how very desperate we each are to surrender our fears rather than leave them unchecked! You see…When my response to life’s challenges is manifested through my fears, the end result is all too often unnecessarily painful for the recipient and problematic for myself.

As we end today, I want to take just a final moment to shift our attention from the Pharaoh to the people of God. We’ve focused on this man; his anger; his way of ruling; his fears. But consider with me momentarily the Jews, Gods chosen people. I tried for a moment this week to meditate on the idea of what such a life in Egypt under a horrifically weak, yet powerful man, must have been like for these 2 million plus people.

So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. Exodus 1:11-13

More / Hebrew/ ken = Because of this

“Because of this” what?  “Because of this” oppression, Scripture says the Hebrews “multiplied and spread.” Now, one might think at first glance that Scripture is stating the obvious – that the Jews became numerous. This is true. They did exactly this, and let me remind you, this is precisely what God promised to Abraham that would happen in the covenant He made with him under the stars. However, these two words, “multiplied and spread” too mean so very much more:

Multiplied /Hebrew/ raba = To make great

Spread /Hebrew/ paras = To break out; to be free

Do you see this? Do you see this, Church! We have just read this about God’s people under the hand of the “fear-filled” Pharaoh: God’s people have been made into slaves! They have been dealt with shrewdly! They are treated ruthlessly! They are oppressed! They are forced into labor! They are foreigners in a foreign land! Yet, though the recipients of such cruelty and pain and brokenness, they too have:

Multiplied and Spread / Hebrew/ = To make great and to be free

How can this be? How can, while living under the rule of a Pharaoh immersed in fear, God’s people are too both great and free? It’s simple! You see, the Jews do not yet know it. But they will soon see...

God does not rule confined to the span of a moment in time. No. God rules by the proclamation of His promise!

And even in the midst of sun and sweat and whips and blood, His people are already free. And they are about to step directly into His promise. You see...

Even in the midst of pain and loss and sorrow and mistreatment and injustice and oppression and captivity at the hand of the world…as a child of God, I am free.

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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.