The World System states, "You Must Not Go Very Far."

Paul the Apostle wrote that the stories in the Old Testament involving Israel serve as examples for us in this dark age we live in: "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). For example, in the Book of Exodus, when God sent Moses to lead Israel out of bondage in Egypt, Pharaoh refused to release them from their cruel taskmasters. To humble Pharaoh, God brought pain to Egypt through ten increasingly severe plagues. Initially, Israel’s situation worsened because Pharaoh said the Egyptians would no longer provide straw for the bricks that Israel needed to make, yet the quota remained unchanged (Exodus 5:7-11). The people of God found it increasingly difficult to live under slavery. As the ten plagues in Egypt progressed, Pharaoh attempted to make a deal with Israel to keep them under Egypt’s rule.

Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land" (Exodus 8:25; emphasis added).

This same cry for freedom from debt slavery is what the whole world seeks. Our enemy, Satan, and his followers impose more hardships and injustice. When God’s people cry out for freedom to worship Him in their own way, the enemy relents slightly and hopes we will accept less, remaining in slavery and not pushing too far, so he can draw us back under his control.

Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me" (Exodus 8:28).

When you became a Christian (assuming you are a believer in Christ), did anyone in your circle of friends and family try to hold you back from fully committing to the Lord? Often, we hear people say, "You are going a bit too far in this." You don't have to separate from Egypt [the world system]. You can worship here. Why do you need to go to church? Satan whispers, "You can worship the Lord in your bedroom and read the Bible." We are tempted to listen to the enemy, compromise, and give in to his attack schemes.

In 1519, Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico with about 600 Spaniards, roughly 16 horses, and 11 boats. When they reached the beach, Cortés didn’t deliver a motivational speech but instead firmly declared three words, “burn the boats.” Brothers and sisters in Christ, we can only move forward in the Lord; there can be no compromise to return to our old lives. Jesus said, “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). When someone comes to Christ, the enemy tempts us not to go too far in this new faith we're walking in. Satan wants to silence your testimony and keep you a secret believer; no, burn your boats and read Jesus' words:

Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26).

As the plague situation worsened, Pharaoh’s officials attempted to reason with him.

“Let the people go, so that they may worship the Lord their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?” Then Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “Go, worship the Lord your God,” he said. “But tell me who will be going?” (Exodus 10:7-8).

When Moses declared that all Israel, young and old, including their cattle and sheep, would leave the land of slavery, Pharaoh responded, “No! Have only the men go and worship the Lord, since that’s what you have been asking for” (v. 11). Our enemy wants us to keep this salvation just for ourselves, but we must stay firm in our faith and remind our enemy that everything we have belongs to the Lord and will not be left behind. Moses told Pharaoh, "Not a hoof shall be left behind” (Exodus 10:26). The enemy knows that if our children or possessions stay in this world system, we can be tempted to return. Not a Hoof Shall Be Left Behind! Is that a word from the Lord for someone today? Keith Thomas