Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:

What country is mentioned at least 578 times in the Bible? Can you guess the ancient land that was considered a center of knowledge, wealth, and culture for thousands of years? What ancient country has been called "the granary to the world?"

If you guessed Ancient Egypt, you're absolutely right! This wealthy, powerful land was one of the world's first and longest-lasting civilizations. By studying it in your homeschool, you and your children can come to a deeper understanding of Egypt's role in the Bible and in history.

Most of us know the biblical story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt. We know that his descendants—and those of his 11 brothers—eventually became slaves in that country, and that God miraculously parted the Red Sea to allow them to escape. But do you remember that hundreds of years before the exodus, the patriarch Abraham went to Egypt to escape a famine in his own land? Or that, when Solomon became king of Israel, it was said that his wisdom "excelled all the wisdom of Egypt"? Solomon's marriage to Pharaoh's daughter was a sign of how truly powerful the Israelite nation had become.

Centuries later, a young couple named Mary and Joseph fled Israel to escape King Herod, who wanted to kill their child. Their child was Jesus, and the country they fled to was Egypt. Although Egypt has been a formidable foe to Israel, it was a place of refuge for the young Jesus.

And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.