Back to Egypt

“This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’ He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us. But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!’” Acts 7:37-40

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God has always taken ordinary people, rescued them, and slowly shaped them to reflect His image. From the beginning, His intention was for humanity to mirror His perfect character. When we look at ancient Israel, we see a familiar pattern: deliverance, guidance, testing, trust, and blessing. That same pattern continues in the life of every believer. One milestone on this journey is learning where our identity rests. Israel’s time in the wilderness offers a mirror for our own hearts.

In our text this morning, Stephen reminded his hearers that Israel came out of Egypt, yet Egypt still lived inside them: “Our fathers… in their hearts turned back to Egypt” Acts 7:39. Their bodies were free, but their thoughts clung to the old world. They measured life by what they had known in slavery. They longed for familiar food, predictable routines, and the illusion of security. Because of that, their wilderness became long, and their journey heavy.

In our own lives today, we may feel far removed from tents in the desert, yet the same inner struggle appears. One believer shared, “I once rooted my identity in my career. Every success proved I was someone. Every failure felt like a blow to my worth. Church on Sunday lifted my soul, yet Monday sent me straight back to my scoreboard. Freedom began when I learnt to measure myself by Christ alone.”

The Bible instructs, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Rom 12:2. Israel needed to let God’s promises reshape their expectations. We, too, must allow the scripture to define who we are, shape what we desire, and guide what we pursue. Transformation begins with what we choose to dwell on. It helps to pause and ask ourselves where we seek affirmation, how often we judge our worth by job title, appearance, social media, or money, and what would shift if we first saw ourselves as cherished, called, and commissioned by God.

Lord, thank You for bringing me out of places where I once felt trapped. Teach me to live from the freedom You have already given. When my thoughts drift to old ways of measuring myself, bring me back to the truth of who I am in Christ. Let Your love steady my heart and guide my steps today. Amen.

In our reflection, the wilderness was a classroom, not a home. If we learn what it teaches; keeping our hearts anchored in Christ; peace and purpose become possible, even while the sand is still under our feet.

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Kay Alli