March 25, 2013

WHEN BONDAGE EQUALS FREEDOM

Genesis 47:20-31

Paula Veal
Monday's Devo

March 25, 2013

Monday's Devo

March 25, 2013

Central Truth

We all are in bondage to something. It's up to you to decide which master you will obey -- the one out to destroy you, or the One who offers freedom and life.

Key Verse | Genesis 47:25

So they said, "You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's slaves." (Genesis 47:25)

Genesis 47:20-31

20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, for all the Egyptians sold their fields, because the famine was severe on them. The land became Pharaoh's. 21 As for the people, he made servants of them 1 47:21 Samaritan, Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew he removed them to the cities from one end of Egypt to the other. 22 Only the land of the priests he did not buy, for the priests had a fixed allowance from Pharaoh and lived on the allowance that Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their land.

23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Behold, I have this day bought you and your land for Pharaoh. Now here is seed for you, and you shall sow the land. 24 And at the harvests you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.” 25 And they said, “You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh.” 26 So Joseph made it a statute concerning the land of Egypt, and it stands to this day, that Pharaoh should have the fifth; the land of the priests alone did not become Pharaoh's.

27 Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen. And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly. 28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the days of Jacob, the years of his life, were 147 years.

29 And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, 30 but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.” 31 And he said, “Swear to me”; and he swore to him. Then Israel bowed himself upon the head of his bed. 2 47:31 Hebrew; Septuagint staff

Footnotes

[1] 47:21 Samaritan, Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew he removed them to the cities
[2] 47:31 Hebrew; Septuagint staff

Dive Deeper | Genesis 47:20-31

Oh, silly Israel. There you go again, forgetting who really saved you and offering yourselves to someone other than God. The famine Joseph's dreams predicted was at its worst, and the people had nothing left to sell but themselves. They saw Pharaoh as their savior and willingly gave themselves as slaves to him for what he could give them. It seemed necessary at the time, but this was the first step into their 400 years of slavery in Egypt.

Like it or not, we all are in bondage to something. Every human is born into slavery under sin. We let pride, lust, idolatry, and selfishness rule our lives and guide our decisions. Yet, sin is the worst kind of master. It makes you think you're in control and gives you what you want in the moment, but it's really seeking to destroy you. No matter how many times it hurts us, we keep running back, like a runaway slave returning to an abusive owner. Is there any way out of this cycle?

In steps, with Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God. Through His death and resurrection, we can now have a new master -- a loving, kind, and good King who wants to free us from the abusive cycle in which we've been living. In Romans 6:17-18, Paul rejoices, "But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." With God as our master, we are given reasons to hope, rejoice, and live selflessly. Who wouldn't want to follow a master like Him?

Through Christ, you are freed from your sin, fear, doubt, and bitterness. However, be on your guard. Your old master calls to you, trying to woo you back under its power. Never forget who has freed you and given you a new life.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the number one motivator behind your decisions and actions? What sin are you tempted to be enslaved to?

2. Charles Swindoll wrote, "Slavery to God is the greatest freedom a human can ever know." Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

3. Once you have been freed from sin, you are no longer in bondage to its power. Choose a Scripture to memorize so when you are tempted to return to that sin or feel guilt and shame, you can be reminded of your freedom in Christ. Take a look at Romans 6:17-18 or 1 Corinthians 10:13.

4. If you are a slave to righteousness, take time to thank God for what He has freed you from this week!