The Reproach of Egypt

The Reproach of Egypt

Only after the people of Israel were circumcised on the plain of Gilgal could the Lord roll away the reproach of Egypt. This reproach was over them during their entire journey, from the time they left Egypt until they entered the land of Canaan. All this time they risked hearing these words: “He brought them out to harm them.” Ex. 32:12. Because of their stubbornness the reproach remained over them longer than necessary. Their hearts were turned to the meat pots in Egypt, so that God could not fulfill His purpose with them. However, now they were at the borders of the Promised Land, and God could finally take away the reproach from His people. They had reached the goal. God had done what He had promised.

In the Egyptians’ eyes, the reproach of Israel also gave God a bad name. Num. 14:15-17.

We understand that this is written as an example for us. We too bear the reproach of Egypt (the world) until we are circumcised in heart, in the Spirit. Rom. 2:29. How often, and with good reason, have we not heard people in the world say, “Is he supposed to be a Christian? He is no better than the rest of us!” If this is true, we are still bearing the reproach of the world, to God’s dishonor. It can rightly be said about many Christians in these days: “They have been brought out of the world to their own harm.” As long as they are defeated by manifest sin, people bear the reproach of Egypt. People can point at something and so they are shamed as evildoers. 1 Pet. 4:14-15. For us who are Christians, this kind of reproach is blaspheming God. Sin, (i.e., the manifest works of the flesh) is an absolute shame, now that we live in the time of grace.

The reproach of the world is not the same as the reproach of Christ. In the first instance, being derided for manifest sin goes hand in hand with an uncircumcised heart. The reproach of Christ, on the other hand, (having to suffer scorn for one’s simple faithfulness and fear of God in the midst of them praising our works) goes hand in hand with a circumcised heart. 1 Pet. 2:12.

Just as Israel bore the reproach of Egypt far too long, so it is in our days. Most of so-called Christians never rolled away the reproach of the world. They die with it: vanity, the lust of the eyes, greed, etc.; they are never finished with it. Their heart is in the world. May this not be so with any of us! It is not the intention for us to bear the reproach of the world for years on end. Not at all! We can be done with it in a short time.

Abraham received the sign of circumcision as proof (a seal) of his faith while still uncircumcised (Rom. 4:7-12); in the same way, the forgiveness of our sins (while we are still uncircumcised) must lead to putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, so that we can come to the circumcision of the heart in the Spirit. If righteousness by faith does not lead to the sign of circumcision, then our faith is a dead faith. Only after we have come to the circumcision in the Spirit do we walk in the faith of Abraham. In other words, only then are we children of Abraham; only then are we heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3:7, 29. It is impossible to believe God without becoming circumcised in our heart. You can imagine that you believe God, but you remain under the reproach. The day of rolling away the reproach on the plains of Gilgal never arrives. You do not enter the Promised Land; in other words, you do not partake of divine nature. Only those who are circumcised partake of the promises.

Let us therefore take care that the reproach of the world is rolled away from us! Let us put off sin; then we will be ready to enter the land. With circumcised hearts we will conquer it, step by step. Little by little, sin in the flesh is put to death, and God’s nature is manifested instead. All glory to God!