Moment of Meditation: Egypt (Genesis 10:6)

The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. Genesis 10:6 One of Israel’s great antagonists were the Egyptians. They were enslaved for over four hundred years to the Egyptians. Yet even after they were free from slavery, Egypt was still foremost in their minds as the great superpower in the world. Whenever Israel would find itself being attacked by another nation, their first thought would be to get help from Egypt. When God talks to Israel about who He is, one of His favorite titles for Himself is: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exodus 20:2). When He identifies Himself, He shows His rejection of Egypt. When Hezekiah seeks Egyptian help against the Assyrians, he is taunted, “You are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it” (2 Kings 18:21). The Psalm reminds us, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes … in whom there is no salvation” (Psalm 118:9; 146:3). Was Egypt a place for Israel to place their trust? Absolutely not. Where should you place your trust? In the triune God alone—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.