11/05/2026
𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 (𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐)
Coming back to the book of Exodus Chapter 1, I noticed something that I hadn't fully grasped before.
In 𝗘𝘅𝗼𝗱𝘂𝘀 𝟭:𝟭𝟬-𝟭𝟯, it mentions how a new Pharaoh who didn't know Joseph came into power. He saw how great and mighty Israel had become, and he immediately feared that one day, they could stand against Egypt with their numbers if a war broke out between Egypt and other countries.
And because of that fear, the Israelites were subjected to slavery.
But even though the Israelites were tortured as slaves, they continued to grow in numbers and in strength. and the Egyptians became more afraid of them.
This is another classic episode of Fear, like my previous post with Saul.
What struck me deeply was that 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀.
This speaks volumes.
And the irony is that Egypt was once Israel’s helper.
Another example that I want to use is Laban, Jacob's Uncle. Laban took Jacob in when he needed help, and Jacob also helped in tending to his flocks faithfully.
As time passed and Jacob was taking care of Laban's livestock as payment for Rachel's hand in marriage, Laban noticed that God was blessing and multiplying his household because of Jacob. Even through divination (since Laban worshipped idols), he realized that Jacob carried God’s blessing.
Instead of being grateful, Laban became manipulative.
Laban then decided to cheat Jacob so that he could work an extra seven years, hoping to continue benefitting from Jacob's blessing.
At first glance, the actions of Egypt and Laban may not immediately look like fear. But it was fear nonetheless.
Fear can make one's helper become one's oppressor. And honestly, that is so sad.
What if Egypt continued to help Israel? Israel would have been one of their greatest allies, but instead became one of their greatest enemies.
The same goes for Laban and Jacob.
Someone you could have called out to others as your helpers during your toughest times becomes a painful lesson to warn others about.
And please, I am not speaking to only unbelievers because even believers tend to fall into this pattern.
Sometimes we become uncomfortable when we see someone we once helped being elevated by God. Instead of celebrating them, insecurity and fear begin to creep in.
Let us not become so fearful that we begin to oppress the very person we once helped simply because God is blessing them.
𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭𝟮:𝟭𝟱
"𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲; 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻"
A person’s growth is not your downfall. God blessing another person does not reduce His ability to bless you as well.
Always be a blessing to others and not a lesson. Your heavenly father, who watches you help others, will also be your help.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘀 𝟭𝟭:𝟮𝟱
"𝗔 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿; 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱."
Have a Wonderful Week Everyone and God bless.
