The decision to go to Egypt is a recurring theme in the Bible, often symbolizing a reliance on human strength and wisdom rather than trusting in God's provision and guidance. This decision is depicted in various narratives, each with its own context and implications.

Abraham's Journey to Egypt

The first significant instance of going to Egypt occurs with Abram (later Abraham) in Genesis 12:10-20. During a severe famine in Canaan, Abram decides to go down to Egypt to sojourn there. This decision, made out of concern for survival, leads to a series of events where Abram instructs his wife Sarai to say she is his sister, fearing for his life due to her beauty. Pharaoh takes Sarai into his house, but God intervenes by sending plagues upon Pharaoh's household, leading to Abram's departure from Egypt. This narrative highlights the potential pitfalls of relying on human solutions rather than seeking divine guidance.

Jacob and His Family

In Genesis 46, Jacob (Israel) and his family move to Egypt during another famine, but this time the decision is divinely sanctioned. God speaks to Jacob in visions of the night, saying, "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there" (Genesis 46:3). This move sets the stage for the Israelites' eventual enslavement and subsequent deliverance, demonstrating God's sovereignty and long-term plan for His people.

The Israelites' Temptation

Throughout the wilderness journey, the Israelites frequently express a desire to return to Egypt, longing for the perceived security and abundance they experienced there, despite their enslavement. In Numbers 14:3-4, the Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron, saying, "Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" This longing for Egypt symbolizes a lack of faith in God's promises and a preference for the familiar over the unknown.

Warnings Against Returning to Egypt

The prophets repeatedly warn against returning to Egypt for help. In Isaiah 31:1, the prophet declares, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the abundance of chariots and in the great strength of horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the LORD." This admonition underscores the futility of seeking security in worldly powers rather than in God.

Jeremiah's Prophetic Warning

In the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest, a remnant of Judah contemplates fleeing to Egypt for refuge. Jeremiah warns them against this course of action, stating, "If you are determined to go to Egypt and reside there, then the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow on your heels into Egypt, and you will die there" (Jeremiah 42:15-16). Despite the warning, the remnant disobeys and faces the consequences foretold by the prophet.

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus

In the New Testament, Egypt serves as a place of refuge for the Holy Family. After the visit of the Magi, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and the infant Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod's massacre (Matthew 2:13-15). This journey fulfills the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Hosea 11:1), and highlights God's protective care and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan through Christ.

The decision to go to Egypt, whether for refuge, sustenance, or security, serves as a powerful motif throughout Scripture, illustrating the tension between human inclination and divine direction.