Go Not Down to Egypt

   In the twenty-sixth chapter of Genesis there is the story of a famine in the land of Israel.  It seems that during a time of famine in those days the dwellers of the holy land would invariably flee to the rich Nile river basin in Egypt.  They would stay there until the rains returned to their homeland.  This apparently happened many times back then. The bible records a few chapters earlier how even Abraham went to Egypt during the time of a famine.  Given this historical reality it is no surprise that when a famine came in the days of Isaac he immediately began to make plans to head to Egypt.

    Only this time it would be different.  This time God would ask a man to step up and trust Him with a faith that would set the tone for the rest of his life.  This was going to be a test that would change Isaac from being Abraham's son to something much more.  However, as he would soon find out, the entrance exam to the faith hall of fame was going to be tough.....

    As Isaac is preparing to leave his home God interrupts his travel plans with these words, "...Go not down to Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of."  You have to understand how hard this was to hear.  A drought was on the way.  It was going to be impossible to grow any crops for food. It was going to be dry and hot and miserable in that land.  I am sure that most of the inhabitants of the land did what all their ancestors had always done...they got out of town quick!  Isaac had the same idea...but God had a better idea.  God knew and Isaac was about to find out that ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!

    The story tells us that Isaac obeyed the Lord and stayed in the land.  Not only did he stay there but he actually went into the dry, hot fields and planted a crop because he believed God! Here is the account of what happened from the bible.  "And Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundred fold: and the Lord blessed him" Gen 26:12   A ONE HUNDRED FOLD RETURN IN A TIME OF DROUGHT!  Only faith in God can accomplish that. The next few verses catalogue the blessings that followed this act of faith.  They culminated in placing Isaac on the same plane as his father before him.   This great act of faith entrenched Isaac as the second member of the hallowed Patriarchal trilogy of Abraham, ISAAC and Jacob!  This test gave Isaac his testimony. 

What does all of this have to do with you?  Well it seems to me we are facing some pretty tough times ourselves.  The price of oil is skyrocketing and affecting the global economy in a terrible way.  Now I am not an economic genius but I do understand having to pay for food, clothing and shelter.  There is an unsettling feeling in our world today.  The conversation over lunch, down at the grocers and at the gas pump is, "things are getting bad." 

    What I am trying to say is that everyone is "going down in Egypt" in their attitude and conversation.  The Bible tells us in Romans 12:3 ... be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Do not allow yourself to be pulled into the thinking of the masses right now.  Don't forget there is a strong creative force attached to what you think and say in your life.  It affects your attitude.  Remember that we are supposed to be "... in the world but not of the world."  Remember that we are not like the world.   We are... new creatures in Christ Jesus! 

     Resist the temptation to get involved with a negative conversation of how bad everything is now.   All it accomplishes is making us more apprehensive and fearful while not changing the situation.  I am not saying to put your head in a hole and pretend that all of these things are not happening.  What I am saying is use this time to set a watermark in your life.  This is the time to say "I will believe God!"  Take this test and create you own testimony!

    Isaac's challenge set him on his road to blessings.  Our faith in Jesus Christ will do the very same thing for us in our generation. Be different from everyone around you.  As others become fearful and pessimistic...you believe God!  Sow in your land!  Keep going to church! Keep giving and tithing! Keep helping your brother!   Stand fast!  Hold on!  Don't give up!  Don't be discouraged! GO NOT DOWN TO EGYPT!!