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Bondage of Sin

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Israel’s bondage in Egypt is an illustration of the sinner’s bondage in sin. Egypt is a type of the world; Pharaoh is a type of Satan; and the bondage an illustration of the enslaving power of sin. Different men are in bondage to different sins. Let me give seven sample cases.

  1. The Pharisee. He was in bondage to self-righteousness. He thought he was free, and behold he was bound. He thanks God he is not as other men, and behold he is worse than other men, because of what he is not, and being proud of it (Luke 8:11).
  2. Esau. He was in bondage to sensual satisfaction (Genesis 25:32; Hebrew 12:16). He did not care about the future or spiritual things so long as his present need was supplied, and his desire granted. He had enough when his appetites were met.
  3. Balaam. He was in bondage to the love of money. He loved the wages of unrighteousness. It was of little moment to him who suffered if only he could obtain his own ends (Jude 11; Numbers 22).
  4. Demas. He was in bondage to worldliness (2 Timothy 4:10). Love of the world fascinated Demas to his destruction. It was a wrecker’s light that lured him on to the rocks of error, where he made shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience.
  5. Korah. Korah and his followers were guilty ot rebellion against God in coveting the priesthood; hence, they were in bondage to pride (Numbers 16). Pride is self-assertion and self-will in opposition to God’s word and will. Pride is a hideous power to be under. It is a very octopus that will suck the life-blood out of any man, and lead him to eternal death.
  6. Nadab and Abihu. It seems that these sons of Aaron, being under the influence of strong drink, brought strange fire into the Lord’s presence, as after their death the priests were prohibited from drinking strong drink when in the service of the tabernacle (Leviticus 10:9). The sons of Aaron were in bondage to strong drink, hence, their rash action which brought such a terrible judgment upon them. How many there are who are in bondage to intemperance. It is a blight that kills everything that is bright, beautiful, noble, and moral.
  7. Lord of Samaria. The lord of Samaria was in bondage to unbelief. He did not believe that God could meet the need of Samaria. The consequence was, he was punished by death for his want of faith (2 Kings 7:2, 19, 20). Unbelief is a cloud that hides the sun from view.

There is only one Person who can free the one who is in bondage, and that One is Christ.

[This list is adapted from the Works of F.E. Marsh, coming soon to Blue Letter Bible.]

Comments

  1. This is really deep. Looking through these 7 bondages, I realized that I fall under all of them, but three in particular: self-righteousness, self-gratification, and pride. It is extremely convicting reading about the extent of these bondages, but more comforting to know that Jesus is the one that will set us free. How do we get set free? Well, that comes from constant reading and application of the scriptures (John 8:31-32). It may take some time for me to be truly set free, but when the son sets me free, I am free! (John 8:36)

    Another bondage that gets most men is the bondage of impurity. So many of us are slaves to this; whenever our bodies want to be impure, we hunger and thirst for ways to quench those desires. It usually ends in the destruction of families, friends, repuations, and sometimes a relationship with God. A key to survival is not to overlook the bondage, but to humbly address them in prayer, fasting, and discipleship. We CAN experience freedom through Jesus, but it will take work on our behalf.

    Father, I pray that you will help me and any other person that read this blog to be set free from any bondage they make be trapped in. Help us experience true freedom in Christ to say no to the flesh, and choose righteousness in all that we do. Empower us through the Holy Spirit to sustain that freedom, and not go back the the bondages You have brought us from. In Jesus’ name I pray.
    Amen.

  2. This is really good! I can see in my mind’s eye Jesus, standing in front of Satan demanding that he let His people go ! Jesus went all the way for us. Now, with His grace, we can go all the way to Him for His glory and our delight <3

  3. Before anyone posts, there’s a comment made about starting the conversation. What conversation? You post works of other men and remain quiet. You discourage snarky remarks, yet post them without correction, reproof or instruction.

    Aren’t we supposed to ‘debate our case with a neighbor’ (Pr 25:9)? You know… iron sharpening iron? But this is like a fencing school that teaches only theory of the art, form over function and uses nerf swords for illustration.

    What he’s describing isn’t the bondage of Egypt, but those things practiced in the land of Canaan which the children of Israel are supposed to drive out. Eph 4:22-24; Rom 8:13

    Reading through the post, Job comes to mind, wondering why he called his friends worthless physicians…

    Wasn’t ot because they offered him no help? Even in identifying sin present, where’s the power to overcome it? Where are the 12 plagues to bring me out of Egypt? Where is the power of God to go before me into the Land? To deliver me from ‘the Midianites’ (Judges 6); the Ammonites (Judges 11) or the Philistines (1 Sam 7)?

    “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free“, often quoted, rarely believed/applied. I feel like the disciples Jesus rebuked when they couldn’t cast out the demon Mt 17:17-21.

    So, how do I overcome the those things that are determined to dwell in the land (Jdg 1:27;35; Gal 5:19-21)?

    Ps 116:1-4; Ps 118:1-14 (I believe, help my unbelief!)

    I appreciate what BLB offers in the word search and wants to do with the Institute, but please, come down to the real world where I live! Rom 12:16

    • Furthermore, please understand that we can’t always respond to comments immediately. We hope that doesn’t starve the conversation since there are many who use the blog and benefit from it.

    • Job 26:2,3

      For even on Jewish blogs there are those who find benefit from what’s posted… but of what lasting value?

      • “How have you helped him who is without power? How have you saved the arm that has no strength? How have you counseled one who has no wisdom? And [how] have you declared sound advice to many? Job 26:2,3 (NKJV)

  4. Who is F.E. Marshall? Are we allowed to preach like one of the above commenters or should we stick to our own reaction to the material presented by the writer?

  5. Jesus reigns and especially in these dark times we need the light and love of God to shine in our hearts and through us more and more everyday to reach those that are lost. The urgency bears upon us to continue more aggressively in intercessory prayer for our family and not stop until we see everyone surrender their livee to Jesus Christ. Jesus came to seek and save them that are lost in sin.We are in a warfare, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.All this spell SIN in its most potent forms. For we are not unaware of the wiles of the enemy, but we who are saved (and have no doubt about it)by the power of Jesus Christ know that He is still reaching out for sinners, that sin through our prayers and the blood of Jesus Christ will not have dominion over our lives and that the devil is defeated. Praise God.

  6. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

    Praise the Lord that He has delivered us from our Egypts, from the house of bondage!

    He freed the one who couldn’t free himself, and self is what He gave for the freedom of him who couldnt. Glory!

  7. Is it possible that Egypt is a piture of what Christ did for us on the cross- justifacation.freeing us from the power of sin. And that the promise land experince is are Pilgrims progress in witch we becoming santifide.