IMAGERY OF EGYPT
Egypt’s imagery is similar to Babylon. The spiritual differences are very subtle, but both are places where religions are practiced under the control of powerful rulers (i.e. Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar) who symbolically represent all religious leaders.

The main difference between Israel and Babylon is how Israel came to reside in these religious kingdoms. It went to Egypt first because there was a spiritual famine (i.e. there was no good spiritual food) in the promised land. This contrasts with Babylon where Israel was sent (i.e. exiled) as a consequence for the sin of religion.

Both nations are parables of the condition of Judaism and Christianity. In effect, they are still in exile in Babylon. And it is because they are in exile that God calls his people to come out of Babylon (i.e. religion).

But we are not so familiar with other stories of God’s people interacting with Egypt after the exodus or of God’s reminders that he brought Israel out of Egypt and warnings not to go back to Egypt. Here is a collection of scriptures that show in many ways that we need to pay attention to God’s references to Egypt:

And here is one particular scripture that summarizes how we should look at Egypt:

Isaiah 30:1-17 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine; and who make a league, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin; 2 who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my counsel, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh, and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

COMMENTARY: This says clearly that going to Egypt (i.e. religion) is rebellion and sin.

Going down to Egypt is equated without asking for God’s counsel (i.e. listen to his voice).

Seeking refuge in the shadow of Egypt means that Israel has not sought refuge in God.

Making a league means to make an alliance which is what Babylonians did when they agreed to build a tower to reach God, which is not something God told them to do.

3 Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.

COMMENTARY: Seeking protection from Pharaoh is a symbolic way of saying seeking protection from religious leaders.

4 For though his officials are at Zo’an and his envoys reach Ha’nes, 5 every one comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace.”

COMMENTARY: There is no profit in religion. It only yields shame and disgrace.

6 An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb. Through a land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the viper and the flying serpent, they carry their riches on the backs of asses, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people that cannot profit them. 7 For Egypt’s help is worthless and empty, therefore I have called her “Rahab who sits still.”

COMMENTARY: There is trouble and anguish in Egypt.

Religion is worthless and empty.

God calls religion Rahab, a harlot.

8 And now, go, write it before them on a tablet, and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness for ever. 9 For they are a rebellious people, lying sons, sons who will not hear the instruction of the LORD;

COMMENTARY: Religious people are rebellious because they refuse to hear and obey God’s voice.

10 who say to the seers, “See not”; and to the prophets, “Prophesy not to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, 11 leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more of the Holy One of Israel.”

COMMENTARY: Religious people prefer to listen to false prophets who tell them what they want to hear rather than listen to God’s voice.

12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely on them; 13 therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a break in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose crash comes suddenly, in an instant; 14 and its breaking is like that of a potter’s vessel which is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a sherd is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.”

COMMENTARY: The result of failure to listen to God’s spoken word is destruction.

15 For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” And you would not, 16 but you said, “No! We will speed upon horses,” therefore you shall speed away; and, “We will ride upon swift steeds,” therefore your pursuers shall be swift. 17 A thousand shall flee at the threat of one, at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill.

COMMENTARY: Horses and swift steeds symbolically represent religious leaders who pursue them so that they can enslave them.