Four or 400?

“Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years” (Exodus 12:40).

Jacob’s descendants lived in the wicked world of Egypt for over 400 years. Although they belonged in Canaan, they moved south to escape famine. After the famine ended, they continued to live in Egypt. A generation later, the Pharaoh made slaves out of them, humiliating and abusing the beautiful descendants of Abraham.

Joseph invited the family down, three years into the seven-year famine. They could have moved back to Canaan after four short years. Why did they stay more than 400? Aside from prophetic reasons, for all practical purposes they found it easier to stay rather than move on and fulfill their God-given destiny.

You will at one point end up in a “foreign land.” You may have to take a job in a hostile, Godless environment. You only involve yourself to the level necessary. Do not become a slave to the sin and decadence around you. Do not identify with the wrongs of your neighborhood, culture, or workplace. Step out to be who God wants you to be. Do not adopt the attitude of the hate-speech, gossip-filled crowd. Just stay as long as necessary for survival. You do not have to learn the perverted jokes or twisted mindsets of our self-centered world.

I found secular college to be an intimidating land for five years. I had to enter that world for an education. I did not adopt the lawless culture around me. I refused to let their alcohol, lewdness, and profanity enslave me. In fact, I brought a few students to pursue righteousness during my sojourning. We serve a God who can take us through mucky situations without our lives getting splattered and tattered.

Consider your situation. Are you heading toward four centuries of bondage? Or will you graduate from your trial in short order? Even if you come from an abusive past or troubled youth, leave those scars behind and go on to the Promised Land of living in God’s favor. View your family, social, and corporate reprieves as temporary intervals in life. Remember, your destiny is a little further North.