The Egyptians from Old Testament lore don’t receive a glowing account of how they treated God’s people.
Understandably so. They enslaved the children of Israel and only released them to return to Canaan after God caused the Ten Plagues and brought the country to its knees.
Yet, the Egyptians can teach us something important about our Christian walk. Or, at least, a song about the Egyptians, released in 1986 and performed by The Bangles, can.
We must walk like an Egyptian, if we want to please God.
Whaa??? Walk like an Egyptian? That’s makes no sense, you say. Yet, it does.
Picture Egyptian hieroglyphics. The pictographs seem to portray the ancient Egyptians in very specific, stylized, repetitive poses. They set a visual standard we still recognize today.
God’s standard is found in the Bible. He tells us how to walk. Then Christ came to earth to live it out for us. If we pay attention, we’ll copy Jesus exactly, and everyone will know we’re walking like Christ.
Philippians 4:8-9 says to do the commendable things. Do the excellent things. Practice being the best we can be.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Colossians 3:23-24 says to work as though Jesus is looking over our shoulder, even when other people aren’t watching. Let our best efforts shine through in everything we do.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 4:5-6 says to watch our tongues, so that those who don’t yet live for Christ will see the truth of the heavenly Father flowing through everything we say and do.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Our goal isn’t to walk like an Egyptian but to follow in the footsteps of Christ. When we place our feet where Jesus walked, we’ll find our behaviors will shout our salvation to the world.
We are transparent to those around us, whether we choose to follow Christ or the evil one.
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Code: FGO.I.14.17c.vp.esv