By Brandon Sutton
Exodus is one of my favorite books in the Bible—probably because it’s an exciting story! For more than 400 years, Israel was in bondage to the Egyptians. Their enemies forced them into oppressive conditions and hard labor. So, they cried out to the Lord for deliverance, and God heard their pleas.
The Lord sent a deliverer in Moses who demanded that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, release God’s people immediately. But, as the story goes, Pharoah was not easy to deal with. He refused to release the Jews, and God punished Egypt with a series of very severe plagues, culminating in the death of Egypt’s firstborn—both man and livestock. Finally, the King released the people, and Israel was free.
But not for long.
Pharaoh’s heart changed, and he regretted letting Israel go. So, the king and his armies pursued the people of God, trapping them in front of the Red Sea and between the mountains. Only God could save them now, and He did. The Lord parted the sea, allowed Israel to pass through, and when the Egyptians tried to do the same, the Lord crushed the enemies of Israel and freed the people of God. What a great salvation!
But oh, how soon did Israel forget the incredible works of God.
After traveling in the desert, they became tired, hungry, and thirsty (Exodus 15-16). They grumbled against Moses for lack of food and water and expressed a desire to return to Egypt (Exodus 16:2-3)—at least there, they had bread and meat. Israel desired to return to bondage.
Early recovery can be difficult. Honestly, it’s very challenging. Most people in recovery don’t make it. The temptations and changes needed are too hard. So, they return to their former life. In this way, the addict who relapses is not much different than the Israelite who desired to return to Egypt because a relapse into active addiction is a return to bondage.
Proverbs 26:11 says, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.” That’s precisely what relapse is like. We are like dogs who return to our vomit.
When I got out of jail the last time in 2007, I was determined to stay sober. I did the jail recovery program. I was learning about my addiction. People were proud of me. I was gaining trust and getting back to work. My family was happy. I was happy. And then I got a call from a buddy, and I began drinking and drugging again. We went to Louisville on a Friday night, and I blew a whole week’s paycheck in one-night drinking, gambling, and going to clubs. By the end of the night, I threw up at a bar. I had no money and barely enough gas to get home. I was a dog who returned to his vomit. I returned to slavery.
“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16-17). When you present yourself to that sin (relapse), you become a slave to the sin you give yourself over to. You are slaves to the one you obey!
So, obey Christ! It is “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1). Christ’s death upon the cross not only has the power to forgive your sin, but He has the power to set you free from the power of sin. So, remain in Him, and don’t return to bondage.