Some 5000 years ago, the King of the most powerful empire at the time, Egypt, sat on his throne, chin in hands, grappling with a crisis that mirrored the very essence of spiritual slavery—a struggle for control, power, and ultimate freedom.
After the death of his cattle, reddening of his rivers, the sudden depletion of his agricultural prowess, and the sheer defiance of his gods and powers he’s known all his life, there was still one more thing that hurt more than anything: the loss of his economic fuel-over a million slaves.
He was the ultimate slave king, except now, with a dilemma. “Let them go” and it could take a lifetime to sustain the wealth he had built on their backs. “I won’t let them go” and he suffers the most humiliating and helpless attack to ever visit his kingdom.
The dilemma of this slave king, Pharoah, holds within it lessons for us today. Lessons you may have come across but not paid attention to…
Now there Arose a New King…
If anyone had told the Israelites that they were about to turn slaves to their very neighbours, they would never have believed it. However, in Exodus 1:8, the Bible tells us, after a long time of peace between the Israelites and the Egyptians, “Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.”
This was the beginning of the woes of jewish families who had ridden into Egypt on account of Joseph’s authority. Now if you pay attention, you’ll realize this is an all-too-common principle. No one relationship stays the same. Either one party affects the other or vice versa.
Here’s what I mean. The things that enslave us always start out with us in control. You start spending more time on social media but keep reminding yourself, “I’m in control, I can stop whenever i want and get back to studying.”
You start a flirty relationship with that partner and think, “Oh I can stop whenever I decide.” Basically, we think we’re in control, until we’re not. Eventually, we are overtaken by a “new king” – a new power, habit, control – takes over us and we become its servants…its slaves.
For Israel, it was just one king, but can you imagine the number of hostile kings some people have allowed in their lives? And the kind of spiritual slavery this leads us into, well, I’ll have to paint the picture for you…
Slavery in the Old Empire
Have you heard the principle that says “the events of the old Testament are a shadow of the realities of the New Covenant?“
During the times of Pharaohs, the empires of the time resorted to slavery as a common means to advance their civilizationsa and endeavors.
Now you need to understand that this is no different to the order of authority in the spiritual realm. A common principle in the world of the spirits is service.
It’s purest form is what men offer to God. It’s corrupted form is what the enemy coerces men to commit to, slavery to sin. And so slavery to God and slavery to the Devil, though a common principle, mean different things.
Now back to the slavery of yesteryears, it was so common and intense that there was a whole system to it. There were at least four types of slavery:
Types of Slavery
Debt Bondage
Many individuals became slaves due to debts they could not repay. In such cases, they would work off their debts, often for extended periods, sometimes even passing their status onto their children.
Today these are real forms of slavery people find themselves in spiritually. These happen especially to families whose “pillars” are unable to create paths of light for them, but rather, engage dark masters, leaving debts for their generations to endure.
War Captives
A significant number of slaves were prisoners of war. Captured individuals from military campaigns were often forced into slavery, which was a common practice in ancient societies, including Egypt.
In the new covenant, this can represent nations and societies which are attacked on a mass level with vices such as crime, teenage pregancy, homosexuality, etc.
Criminals
Some individuals were enslaved as a punishment for crimes. This form of enslavement was seen as a way to repay society for their offenses.
This is a form of spiritual slavery specially reserved for ministers of God sent as deliverers of certain systems. If they do not build capacity or fail to thoroughly complete their missions, they can be “arrested”, and enslaved by the very thing they were sent to overcome.
Hereditary Slavery
Children born to enslaved parents often inherited their parents’ status, perpetuating the cycle of slavery within families.
This is quite self-explanatory. It occurs in the realms of patterns. Even if there’s a habit that’s not prevalent in your family, a new family or couple can practice it till it becomes a “new King” in the family for generations.
Dear friend, these are realities that must be considered with all seriousness. But here’s the ultimate question…is it possible to break out of this slavery?
It would suffice to say that it is, considering that Israel escaped it by God’s grace.
But in what practical way can it be done?
The short answer is by agitation. The long answer? Read on.
From Spiritual Slavery to Divine Purpose
In the intense moment where Esau found out he was forever going to remain a slave to his younger brother, there was a clause to that pronouncement he paid particular attention to. “…you will serve your brother.
But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your back,” concluded Isaac. And boy did Esau hold on to it. The result?
Six chapters later, Esau heartily hugged his brother with no resentment whatsoever. “My brother, I have plenty…Keep what you have for yourself.” This is the apex answer of a freed man. “I am free. I have plenty of freedom, life and truth in Jesus Christ. Satan, keep what you have for yourself.”
May the Lord help bring you from every from of spirtual slavery to such a place of deliverance and freedom.
But first, you must, like Esau, decide to break free. You must become restless and agitate for your freedom. Here’s why…
You are Meant for More
Just as Israel was the powerhouse that fueled Egypt’s economy, you carry within you an undeniable force—a power that can either advance God’s Kingdom or be a weapon for the enemy.
You are never just neutral.
You are either building for light or laboring in darkness. And as Joshua boldly declared, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
There are people God breathes a sigh of relief when He finds—because in them, He sees walking institutions, systems, and movements capable of making an impact wherever they are positioned. They don’t just exist; they shift atmospheres.
But in the same way, there are others who, when placed in certain environments, send demons on vacation—because those spirits know their job just got easier. They don’t need to fight anymore; this person will do the damage for them.
So here’s the real question: Where do you stand? Will you be a mighty force in God’s hands, or will you unknowingly aid the enemy’s cause?
Because whether you realize it or not, your decisions, your struggles, even your mistakes—they all point to one undeniable truth: You are meant for more. The only question left is, how will you use it?
In Summary
The tale of the Slave King and the Exodus of Israel from Egypt echoes through history, resonating with timeless truths. Just as Pharaoh faced the dilemma of letting go or facing ruin, we too confront choices that shape our destinies.
Whether it’s the tempting call of fleeting pleasures or the grip of past mistakes, the path to freedom begins with a decision to break free.
Today, decide to embrace agitation and seek divine grace, and one step at a time, like Esau’s resolve to shake off bondage, you too can move from captivity to chosenness. May this journey lead you to discover the boundless freedom meant for you.
Remember to share your thoughts with me in the comments section. Stay blessed
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