Rolling Away The Reproach Of Egypt

Phil continued our series looking at Joshua. Joshua 5 - Rolling away the Reproach of Egypt Introduction Joshua 5 Verse 1-12 Fear on the people who dwell in the land Circumcision for the Israelites Passover celebrated Start eating from the produce of the land Circumcision and rolling away the reproach (shame) of Egypt linked. This new generation set apart afresh as Gods own people. Time for the pain, hurt and shame of the past to be dealt with. Rolling away the reproach of Egypt When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, • for many years they were beaten down. Not only physically, but emotionally. • They were constantly told they were no good, • they couldn't do anything right, they would never measure up. • Over time, they let those words steal their sense of value and identity. • They felt inferior, insecure, like they had no self-worth. When a person is being mistreated or abused, especially for a long time; instead of recognising the other person is doing them wrong, it's easy for them to accept the blame and start thinking they deserve what's happening. Before long, they're not only ashamed of what's happening, but they start to become ashamed of who they are. That's the way the Israelites felt. That's how the enemy twists things. But after 430 years, God brought them out of the slavery, out of the abuse. Just when they were about to enter the Promised Land, God said to them, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt off of you." Reproach means shame, blame or disgrace. Notice, they couldn't go into the Promised Land with the shame, feeling unworthy, not valuable. God had to roll away the reproach. Lets look at how our enemy uses things in our lives to put reproaches on us, that to bring shame and disgrace on us condemning us. Areas where reproaches come from? • The Reproach Of Barrenness- This lie says, “You will never be fruitful or significant.” Ever been told you are useless no good for anything, you will never amount to much in life. God has plans and purpose for you (Ephesians 2 verse 10) • The Reproach Of Loneliness seeks to suffocate those who find themselves lonely in life (Isaiah 54:4). This lie says, “You will always be alone.” There is a cruel strategy of the enemy to oppress with a supernatural hopelessness that goes beyond the normal feelings associated with their situation (See also 1Timothy 5:14). • The Reproach Of Failure can settle in on those who have entered into life’s challenges only to come up feeling like losers. This lie says, “You are a loser in life.” that could be in business, a failed marriage, maybe as a parent, could be in christian work or ministry 2 Cor 12:9-10, Romans 5:3-5. • The Reproach of financial difficulties& Poverty is devastating, but the Lord promises to take it away (See Ezekiel 36:30). This lie says, “If you don’t have much, you aren’t worth much.” Lack is like a disease that brings its own emotional and spiritual poison that can infect families, nations and cultures around the world. • The Reproach Of Moral Failure can be a merciless tormentor, especially in the case of fallen leaders (Pr. 14:34, 1 Tim. 3:7). This lie says, “There is no hope for those who fail.” Once you have fallen in sexual immorality there is no way you can get back. There is no redemption for this kind of failure. ○ Even though King David fell in adultery God never removed his anointing or his kingship but restored him fully. • The reproach of the sins of the fathers – the lie says “you are just like your father or mother – like Father like son, like mother like daughter” You are unique God made you not as a clone of your parents but to be you, you have choices to make character that is different to either of your parents. • The Reproach of Church experience - I think God wants to speak about those who have been hurt in church life, maybe through controlling or manipulative leadership, maybe used and abused rather than encouraged and honoured.