IN THEIR HEARTS, THEY RETURNED TO EGYPT.

IN THEIR HEARTS, THEY RETURNED TO EGYPT

Blessed be the name of our Savior, Jesus.

Welcome as we dive into the Scriptures—God’s Word, which is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

The journey of the children of Israel provides a powerful lesson for us, who are traveling from this world to our true Canaan—heaven. By studying their journey carefully, we can understand the spiritual precautions we must take to reach our eternal destination.

The Bible tells us that the Israelites were brought out of Egypt by God’s mighty hand. Yet, as they traveled through the wilderness toward Canaan, they faced challenges that caused them to grumble against God. So strong was their desire to return that they even wished to go back to Egypt, the place they had left.

Numbers 14:3-4
“Why is the Lord bringing us into this land only to let us be killed by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as captives. Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”
“They said to each other, ‘Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.’”

Numbers 11:4-6
“The rabble among them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, ‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt without cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; we see nothing but this manna!’”

By grumbling and longing to return to Egypt, they had already returned in their hearts, even though their bodies remained in the wilderness.

Acts 7:39-40
“Our ancestors refused to obey him. 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 Moses, who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him.’”

This is why none of those who grumbled and longed to return entered the land of Canaan—they all died in the wilderness. Why? Because while their bodies had left Egypt, their hearts remained there. And since the heart matters more than outward appearances, they perished in the wilderness without reaching their destination.

Another powerful example is Lot’s wife. Jesus Himself said, “Remember her” (Luke 17:32).

Lot’s wife had physically begun her journey out of Sodom. She had been saved and left her home behind peacefully and joyfully. Yet the Bible says that at a certain point, she looked back.

This shows that her thoughts, desires, and cravings still longed for Sodom. Perhaps she questioned Lot or even God: Why leave a good place for a bad one? For this one mistake—returning in her heart—she became a pillar of salt. Her body had left Sodom, but her heart remained there. The Bible reminds us that the heart speaks louder than outward appearances, and her attachment to the past led to her destruction.

These stories are not just for our entertainment or to make us sad. They were written so we can learn from them and avoid their mistakes.

1 Corinthians 10:6, 12
“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. Therefore, whoever thinks they are standing firm should be careful that they don’t fall.”

Brothers and sisters, remember this: salvation is like starting your journey out of Egypt or Sodom. The world is often compared to Egypt and Sodom (Revelation 11:8). Therefore, we must leave Egypt not just physically, but also in our hearts—our desires, thoughts, and attitudes.

When we confess Jesus as Lord, we must reject the world both physically and spiritually. We must renounce indulgence, sexual immorality, bitterness, hatred—both in our bodies and in our hearts. Jesus warned:

Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

It is not enough to leave Egypt physically. If our hearts remain attached to lust, anger, or sin, we are still spiritually in Egypt, even if we claim to be on the way to Canaan. If we harbor hatred or resentment while thinking we are righteous, we are still spiritually dead, and our journey will be in vain.

If your heart remains in Egypt while your body leaves, nothing changes. You must truly leave Egypt—both body and heart. Living in the world while longing for heaven is not enough if you keep saying, “One day I will change, one day I will stop sinning, one day I will leave this or that behind.” That “one day” may never come. Salvation requires a deliberate, committed decision today, not a lukewarm attitude. Jesus said that lukewarm people will be spit out of His mouth (Revelation 3:15).

May the Lord help us to be truly saved, leaving Egypt and Sodom both physically and spiritually.

Maranatha!

Please share this good news with others.

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