Is Religion a Tool for Control? Exploring Modern Church Enslavement

“If slavery was outlawed, why do so many people still live in bondage?”

In recent weeks, I’ve been reflecting on one of the most significant events in Scripture—the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. If you’ve spent any time in the church, you're likely familiar with the story of how Israel was enslaved in Egypt. But what does this have to do with the state of the “Modern Church”? I’ll be using the term "Modern Church" frequently because it's crucial to distinguish between what we have now and the church as it was immediately after the resurrection of Jesus.

The Enslavement of Israel: A Brief Overview

Around 1876 BC, Jacob (Israel) and his sons moved to Egypt due to a severe famine (Genesis 46:1-7). Joseph, one of Jacob’s sons, had been sold into slavery by his brothers but later rose to power as Pharaoh’s right-hand man. He invited his family to settle in Goshen, a fertile land in Egypt (Genesis 45:9-11). The Israelites prospered and grew in Egypt (Exodus 1:7).

After Joseph’s death, a new Pharaoh came to power who “did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). He saw the growing Israelite population as a threat and enslaved them, forcing them into hard labor (Exodus 1:11-14). Pharaoh also ordered the killing of all Hebrew male babies (Exodus 1:15-22).

Moses was born during this time, and to escape Pharaoh’s decree, he was placed in a basket on the Nile (Exodus 2:1-10). Later, God called Moses to demand the Israelites' freedom (Exodus 3:1-12), and after Pharaoh’s refusal, God sent the Ten Plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7-12), culminating in the death of the firstborns. The Israelites were spared by marking their doors with lamb’s blood (Exodus 12:13).

Finally, Pharaoh released the Israelites (Exodus 12:31-36), but after changing his mind, pursued them. God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape, while Pharaoh’s army drowned (Exodus 14:21-31). The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Numbers 14:33-34), receiving the Ten Commandments and eventually reaching the Promised Land under Joshua (Joshua 1:1-9).

Old Testament vs. New Testament: A Shadow of Jesus Christ

Debates often arise about the historical accuracy of Old Testament stories, but such discussions miss the point. The Old Testament is full of types and shadows pointing to the real subject of Scripture—Jesus Christ. The Bible isn’t just a historical account; it’s the biography of Jesus. And when you read it through that lens, even the stories of Israel’s slavery in Egypt come alive with profound meaning.

Did these events happen exactly as written? Perhaps not in every detail. But the message remains clear and powerful: God desires to free His people, not just from physical slavery, but from the deeper bondage of sin and religion.

Slavery and Religion: A Parallel for Today

In Exodus, God commands Pharaoh through Moses: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me” (Exodus 8:1). This isn’t just about the Israelites’ physical liberation; it’s a prophetic symbol of God’s desire to free His people from the bondage of sin and religious systems. Egypt represents oppression and slavery, just as sin binds humanity, keeping us from a true, intimate relationship with God.

God’s ultimate goal is freedom—freedom to worship Him in spirit and truth. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” (John 4:23). It was never about religious perfection, but about intimacy with God. Pharaoh’s hardened heart mirrors the resistance of the flesh and the religious structures that oppose God’s true intent. Jesus speaks to this when He says, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

The journey of the Israelites out of Egypt was only the beginning. Despite their deliverance, they continually wished to return to Egypt, where they were enslaved. This is the same pattern we see in the church today. Jesus came 2,000 years ago to set us free from sin and religion, declaring, “It is finished.” But many of us still yearn for the institutions that enslaved us—much like the Israelites longed for Egypt after being freed.

The Church Today: A Reflection of Israel’s Enslavement

Over the centuries, the church has been entangled with worldly political systems and religious institutions that recreate the very bondage Christ died to free us from. We have outsourced our spiritual lives to others, creating a new veil—one that God tore down through the death of Jesus.

In future writings, we will explore the parallels between Israel’s enslavement in Egypt and how the modern church continues to be enslaved by religious institutions. The aim is not to criticize any denomination, assembly, or person but to inspire others to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus. We are all, in some way, victims of and contributors to the system. The goal is simple: to encourage a personal, intimate connection with Jesus that transcends religious structures and leads to true freedom.