Getting Egypt Out Of Israel

Opening Scripture

“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” — — John 15:3

Reflection

First, God got Israel out of Egypt. He delivered them from bondage, broke Pharaoh’s grip, and led them through the Red Sea. But now came the deeper work: God had to get Egypt out of Israel. Though they were physically free, their minds, habits, and desires were still shaped by Egypt’s culture, idols, and philosophies. So, through the teaching of Manna, he was teaching them to live by the word.

As believers, we accept the idea of pruning, but we rarely ask: How does God actually prune us so that we bear more fruit? Jesus answers it plainly: ”You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” God prunes us through His Word. His Word is the knife. His Word is the blade that cuts away what is unfruitful. It removes clutter, distractions, and misplaced affections. It exposes what must go and empowers what must grow.

In John 15, the Greek word for “clean” (katharos) and “prune” (kathairō) share the same root. To be cleansed is to be pruned. To be pruned is to be sanctified. This is not just about sin—it is about removing everything that hinders fruitfulness. God is getting Egypt out of us. He is removing the philosophies, habits, and idols that shaped us before redemption.

The Word of God does not just inform—it transforms. It sharpens our reasoning, renews our mind, and purges our life. Just as iron sharpens iron, the Word of God sharpens our discernment and spiritual instincts. Listening begins the cleansing. Obeying deepens it.

Pruning often comes through hardship. When life strikes us dumb—through loss, confusion, or pain—we instinctively withdraw from the noise. We stop feeding on distractions. We seek silence. We ask questions. We pray. We reflect. In that moment, the Word becomes our lifeline. It speaks truth. It exposes falsehood. It purges what is unfruitful. Sanctification is not a one-time event. It is a journey. It is the process by which God prepares His people to bear lasting fruit. As Ephesians 5:25–26 says, Christ loved the church… cleansing her by the washing with water through the word. The Word washes us again and again. It is the water, the sword, and the fire.

Application

Let us ask ourselves: What “Egypt” still lingers in my thoughts, habits, or affections? Do I welcome pruning through hardship?

Let us abide in His Word. Let us allow it to cleanse our thoughts, prune our habits, and sanctify our lives. Let the Word of God carry out the surgical process in our heart. For only then will we bear fruit that remains.

Amen