In Exodus 5 we note that the first ones allowed by God to suffer in
Egypt were His own people, the children of Israel. To many today this is a great stumbling
block to their faith. "How could God allow this to happen?", they often reason.
But think about it, the Lord says in I Peter 4:17, "the time is come that judgment
must begin at the house (or household) of God." Would it be a loving thing for God to
permit His own to become enamored with and comfortable in a corrupt, fallen world, where
even creation itself groans awaiting redemption? (Rom. 8:19-23)
It must ever be brought before us that this is not our home; we
are but pilgrims and strangers here. Otherwise, we would not look for a better. The best
thing for the Israelites in Egypt was for them to want to leave it. This would never have
happened if God had given them ease and comfort there. Beloved, "despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord,...for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." (Heb. 12:5,6)