Remember Where You Came From

"Remember that you were a slave." This instruction, or a similar wording, occurs at least ten times in God's instructions to Israel. Strange as it may seem, it was God's plan for His people to live in Egypt for a time. His initial purpose was to preserve the nation in a time of famine. He then used that bountiful land as a haven where the nation could multiply. Even the slavery aspect of the sojourn in Egypt had divine purposes.

First, the history of slavery was intended to prompt gratitude and worship to God. As Moses reviewed the fourth commandment about keeping the Sabbath, he instructed: "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day" (Deuteronomy 5:15). A God who would bring such a grand deliverance was deserving of worship. It was fitting that the people would reserve one day each week to gratefully serve their deliverer-God.

In the instructions about celebrating the Feast of Weeks (Harvest), Moses described the giving of offerings at the taking in of the first grain. The corporate celebration was to include family, strangers, and widows. Moses urged, "You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes" (Deuteronomy 16:12). The very God who had delivered them from slavery was now giving them additional provision. Again, gratitude and worship were due to this faithful provider-God.

Second, the history of slavery was to prompt respect rather than bitterness for the oppressors.  God instructed, "You shall not detest an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land" (Deuteronomy 23:7). The Israelites were treated harshly in Egypt, but there are two sides to every story. The everyday Egyptians had not asked to be infiltrated by a people that would grow to the point of threatening their existence. The common Egyptians had not invited the family of Jacob. From a certain aspect, Egypt was invaded. Israel was no threat in the beginning, but the balance changed over time. To some extent (especially at first) the Egyptians absorbed these strangers and allowed them to consume a portion of their bounty. While the Egyptians didn't exactly embrace the Israelites, they did provide life-sustaining sustenance during a time of need. God said the proper response was respectful thanks for the good rather than bitter hatred for the evil.

Third, the experience of slavery was to promote compassion. As God described the proper treatment of aliens residing among the Israelites, He declared, "You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 23:9). Having suffered, having been hurt, and having been mistreated, Israel knew what that felt like. They knew the awkwardness, the sense of not belonging. Their memory of those feelings ought to have prompted them to try to alleviate those feelings for others. There was no place for calloused indifference nor for vengeful "payback." Their compassion should have brought an end to the cycle of hurt.

Fourth, having been slaves should have fostered a sense of justice. As slaves, Israel was without a protector or advocate. Now in their own land, people falling into that defenseless position included aliens, orphans, and widows. God commanded that justice for these needy ones was not to be perverted. "But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing" (Deuteronomy 24:18). "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" (Exodus 22:21). When Israel was oppressed in Egypt, it was not right; neither was it right for Israel now to oppress the vulnerable in their midst.

Fifth, the history of slavery was to encourage generosity. When an Israelite owned a kinsman as a slave, he was to set that slave free in the seventh year. More significantly, the owner was not to send the former slave away empty, but rather to furnish him liberally, giving of God's blessings to him. "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today" (Deuteronomy 15:15). Generosity was also expected with regards to the aliens, orphans, and widows. Farmers were not to go back over their fields again to gather leftovers; instead, they were to purposefully leave those remnants for the needy. "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing" (Deuteronomy 24:22). Those who had previously gone without provision were to make sure others did not fall into the same condition.

Sixth, the experience of slavery was to prompt love. God Himself revealed that He gave justice to the widows and love to the aliens by giving them His provision. Likewise, God's people were to love and provide for others in need. "So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 10:19). Israel was instructed not to do wrong to strangers, but instead to treat them as one of their own. "The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 19:34). Slaves are not generally loved. Those who had experienced the lack of love were to offer it to others.

Having been mistreated and oppressed teaches believers how to interact with God and others. The memory of that previous oppression and the realization of the present deliverance and blessing should prompt grateful worship to God and compassionate love for others who don't yet see deliverance.