No surrender!

Genesis 47:15

“Our money is gone!” they cried. “But please give us food, or we will die before your very eyes!” 16 Joseph replied, “Since your money is gone, bring me your livestock. I will give you food in exchange for your livestock.”

Next year...

18“We cannot hide the truth from you, my lord. Our money is gone, and all our livestock and cattle are yours. We have nothing left to give but our bodies and our land. 19 Why should we die before your very eyes? Buy us and our land in exchange for food; we offer our land and ourselves as slaves for Pharaoh.

25 As for the people, he made them all slaves, from one end of Egypt to the other.

“You have saved our lives!” they exclaimed. “May it please you, my lord, to let us be Pharaoh’s servants.”

It's a very interesting to note the slow progression of how the ordinary Egyptians were stripped of everything during the 7 years of famine in the land.

First it was their money, savings and investments, then it was their livestock (their livelihoods and possessions) and eventually their land and their freedoms!

In order to keep themselves alive, finally they gave up themselves, becoming Pharaoh's slaves.

They weren't asked to be slaves from the get go - no, the famine produced the kind of despair that drove them to voluntarily lay down their independence.

Yet, in this famine, we note that Jacob's family was taken care of and sent to live in Goshen, the best of Egypt.

When others were surrendering their freedoms, they were able to retain their livelihoods and freedoms.

Genesis 47:27

Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly.

This should encourage us at this time of lack and loss in lockdowns.

It's vital that we don't surrender our faith and hope.

We must never be beaten into giving in meekly to tyranny of any sort - especially spiritual tyranny!

Remember who is the Source and Sustainer of your life:

Psalm 16:5 AMPC

The Lord is my chosen and assigned portion, my cup; You hold and maintain my lot.

Resolve in your heart that there will be no surrender to evil dominance.

Stand up for freedom.

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.