From Prison to Promised Land:  Introduction
 
“Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day, twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did – and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:1-12
 
Paul is telling his disciples and the early church not to think too highly of themselves, because they, too, could fall into the same sins as the Children of Israel had all those years before. Paul realized the sins of their ancestors were still in the hearts of men.
 
God used Egypt as a place of provision during the famine when Joseph was managing the food crisis. Jacob and all Joseph’s brothers were reconciled to one another as Joseph saw the big picture of God’s plan and didn’t take offense at his brothers’ betrayal. However, the Children of Israel were led out of Egypt 400 years later when the place God sent them for provision became a place of bondage. God wanted His people to be free, so He raised Moses up and positioned him to lead His people out of slavery and into the wilderness – the intended destination was the Promised Land.
 
It’s still God’s will for His people to live free from the bondage of sin; shame, condemnation, and guilt keep us from living the lives God desires for us. In this study, we will see that God is still delivering His people and the Promised Land is still available to those who put their faith in God.