When a Resource Becomes a Refuge

Egypt Never Fully Left

I was reading Isaiah 30 and 31 today when one verse reminded me of my own walk with God:

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help…” — Isaiah 31:1

God had brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, but somehow, Egypt had not completely left them. Centuries after the Exodus, when trouble came, their instinct was still to go back. This time they weren’t going back for food or because they missed their old life. They went because Egypt had horses, chariots and military strength. Egypt looked like a place that could help.

The Brother I Learned to Call

It reminded me of something that happened during the early years of my marriage.

Back in 2012, I wasn’t very good at budgeting our household expenses. I used my credit card more than I could afford and eventually found myself with a bill I couldn’t pay. Not knowing what to do, I called my brother. Out of his graciousness, he paid it for me.

Some time later, it happened again. I knew exactly where to go. I called my brother, and once again, he helped me.

Then it happened a third time.

Naturally, I went back to him. Only this time he told me he couldn’t help. He was going through financial difficulties himself.

Suddenly, the place I had learned to run to could no longer rescue me.

A Resource Had Become My Refuge

There was nothing wrong with my brother helping me. His generosity was God’s provision in those moments. The problem was what I had slowly made of that provision.

A resource had become my refuge.

Isaiah says:

“The Egyptians are men, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit.” — Isaiah 31:3

Egypt’s horses weren’t imaginary. They were strong. But they were still horses.

In the same way, my brother wasn’t the problem. My dependence was.

What God Gave Me Instead

When I went back to God, He didn’t miraculously drop a bag of money from heaven. Instead, He led me to a good friend who understood finances and taught me how to manage my money better. I had been looking for someone to remove the consequence; God was teaching me to deal with what kept bringing me back there.

How We Build Our Own Golden Calves

Perhaps this is also how we build our own golden calves. Something God provides helps us once, so we return to it again. Slowly, resource becomes reliance, reliance becomes refuge, and refuge can become an idol.

God gives us people, money, work, wisdom and opportunities. We should gratefully use them. But His provision was never meant to replace the Provider.

Returning and Rest

Maybe that is why God’s answer to Judah was not, “Find better horses.”

It was:

“In returning and rest you shall be saved.” — Isaiah 30:15

The question I am learning to ask is simple: When trouble comes, where do I look first?