The Shadow Side of Blessing

Mar. 28

(Some lessons in Exodus)

Read: Exodus 1:1-22

The Shadow Side of Blessing

“But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them…(but) the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service…” (v.7,12,13)

Often times the place(s) that once served as a refuge become a place of hardship… almost like a prison. The habits and “tools” that we used to use to “cope” stop serving us and actually become a crutch or a detriment to us. Any strength or blessings left unchecked becomes a liability. As my friend Larry Breeding likes to say to me, “every strength has its shadow side”. The real question is: “Why is that?”

For as often as we think of Egypt (in the scriptures) , it is normally seen as a place of suffering and slavery for the people of God. We forget that at one point Egypt was a place of rescue and blessing! Do you remember? (cf. Gen.47-50) Jospeh rises to power and rescues his family as well as the rest of Egypt from a famine through God’s supernatural provision (namely: gifting him the meanings of different dreams for the pharaoh and knowing what was coming.) At one point, Egypt represented refuge from the famine and the food that God’s people needed… it was God’s provision and blessing. It was never the long term plan for God’s people though to remain in Egypt though. (cf. Gen. 15:13, 50:24) It would eventually cease to be a place of blessing and rescue, and become a place of hardship and suffering.

As the people of God grew in strength and number, their “fruitfulness” became a liability for them. It was a THREAT to the people around them. It brought them suffering and hardship. Eventually - just as God had foretold - it came time to GO. The place that had once been a blessing had become a curse. The place that had once served as a refuge had become a place of wrongful imprisonment. The miraculous growth that came from Jacob and his family had led them into bitter slavery and hardship. Here are a few lessons for us in this:

1.) There is no shortage of those around you who will see God’s blessing to you as a threat to them! When an individual has a “scarcity” mindset and functions in a “zero sum” sort of way… they can only se someone else’s blessing as being a threat to their own! This is one of many reasons that when God’s people grow in number and strength it is always met with resistance from the outside. It won’t always be this way, but it is for now.

2.) There are “seasons” that the Lord has set for our lives. Do not be surprised if a season passes and the time comes to leave a place that at one point represented safety, provision, and blessing… just like Egypt. This change can be PAINFUL. The time leading up to it can be BITTER. Just think of the Israelites in Egypt. God uses this strife and difficulty to bring about the “exodus” for us and for his people.

3.) Growth always comes with its challenges. Corporate growth. Personal growth. Familial growth. These challenges push us further… they shape us and grow us. The people of God are not fit to come back they have both grown and persevered. It is a model we see played out again and again. Look at what it says here in the book of Exodus: “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad.” (v.12)

4.) Despite the best efforts of “the enemy”, the people of God will not be easily “killed off” or destroyed. Quite the opposite really.

So, some questions for today: What strengths or attributes of yours have been grown so much they are actually becoming a liability to you? Are you resting on previous “laurels” or left playing the same play over and over again? Are you afraid to face your weaknesses and allow Christ to be strong in them for you? Are there some habits that used to serve you well as a child or in your youth that need to be left behind? Do you find yourself trapped in your own sort of Egypt… a job… a habit… a house… whatever; someplace that was a blessing before but God is calling you to someplace else now? As the people of God, we must not be afraid to “move out” and leave Egypt, expect opposition when we grow in strength and number, and recognize that every strength has a shadow side / weakness associated with it. Love you guys! - JDP