“So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appoint brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Ramses as supply centers for the king.” (Exodus 1:11 NLT)
Yesterday we toured the ancient ruins of Jerusalem; rubble remaining from biblical era at the base of the Temple Mount. Videos and diagrams reassembled the fallen structures to assist our imaginations. For centuries, this history was buried in sewage, debris and dirt.
I suppose it struck me most when Herodian stones were identified for us, their trademark ornamental edging distinguishing them from other ages. The guide said “We still haven’t figured out how they cut and moved these larger stones into place.” My mind ran down a rabbit trail. I have not been to the pyramids, but I understand that similar questions remain. Historians and archeologists alike are amazed at the ingenuousness of ancient man, they marvel at their ability to build such dominating structures without modern assistive devices like cranes and bulldozers. I thought about the Israelites and their 400 year Egyptian enslavement, about their skill set forged in the furnace of Pharoah’s hatred. The Israeli ancestors that contributed to Egypt’s splendor gained the engineering and architectural prowess required for their own magnificent Temple and capital city.
The things we learn in slavery will all the more equip us for when we finally live in freedom.
I glance back at my own life, the last five years a hard labor sentence of sorts. I’ve learned so much in the dark and today I trust that those lessons will not be wasted. The strength of character forged in the furnace of suffering will serve us well when we walk again in the light, limbs unfettered and heart set free. There we can truly begin to build lasting things for Kingdom sake!
Besides, oppression spreads out roots of faith that will surely flourish at the first ray of sunshine. Exodus hints at it:
“But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread.” (Exodus 1:12 NLT)
Dark seasons are opportunities to dig deep roots. Deep roots don’t die in the first heat wave of summer, they stay steadfast in season and out. Deep roots flourish when the time is right.
Lord, we hate slavery and we don’t like the dark. It’s hard to lay our lives down for the will of another. Please help us in the night of our soul as we acquire the skill set needed for the next season. Thank You for redeeming the hard things, the harsh things for the glory of Your Kingdom. Amen.