Egypt holds a world of fascination. Along with Moses and the Exodus, such historical monuments as pyramids, mummies, King Tut, and The Great Sphynx inspire ongoing archaeological explorations and historical research. Of course these have inspired an Egyptomania leading to music, dances, movies, novels, and art designs. In addition, Egypt gave humanity one of the earliest forms of writing known as hieroglyphs, the 365 day solar calendar, papyrus sheets for writing, along with tooth paste to name just some of the innovations. Yet, the most important heritage which Egypt gave to the world was not something they invented, but something God had providentially formed over time–the nation state. Egypt was the first territory which unified tribes of people under one government and ruler. This nation state endured for 3,000 years. Before Egypt, most people were governed in collectives of smaller tribes and cities. Those which became powerful would conquer and rule over other cities and tribes for a period of time but then break apart. Egypt, for 3000 years, grouped together nearly 387,000 square miles of cities, tribes, and people groups under one centralized government.
Because of Egypt it was possible for the Hebrews, before they even became a nation, to understand how they were to form the nation of Israel, not just a loosely associated tribes, but on nation with set boundaries. This also created the foundation for other nations to form solid borders in which they would be protected under larger unified cultures in which people could more easily travel and ideas could more easily be transmitted. This is why Paul declared: to the Greeks
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
Acts 17:26
Starting from the promise with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, we will trace the understanding and importance of the nation state and how the promise could only make sense through Egypt.
The Promise
In the originating promise of the Jewish people are all the seeds for understanding how Israel would form a nation distinct from simply a tribe or people group. The promise reads as follows:
1The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country (erets), your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2“I will make you into a great nation (goy) ,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples (mishpachah) on earth
will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:1-3)
Here we see all of the distinctions which separate tribes, countries and nation states.
- “people“/mishpachah (v.3)–a group of people over a smaller territory unified together by a common ancestry and practices.
- “country”/erets (v.1)–a group of people over a larger territory unified together by a common culture or identity without distinct boundaries.
- “nation”/goy (v.2)–a group of people over a larger territory unified together with distinct boundaries and a centralized government.
Egypt is the first territory to be transformed into a nation as defined above by the Hebrew word, “goy.” By the providence of God it would be Egypt that Abraham would travel to escape the famine which was in Canaan.
Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
Genesis 12:10
Basing his observations on archaeological records, Egyptologist James K. Hoffmeier, in his book, Israel in Egypt, writes:
Egypt was frequented by the peoples of the Levant [Canaan and its surrounding areas] , especially as a result of climatic problems that resulted in drought . . . from the end of… (2190 B.C. through…1550 B.C.). Even during the Empire Period, there are records of hunger and thirst driving people from Canaan and Sinai to Egypt for relief.
So, the Genesis account overlaps with the historical record provided by archaeology.
Eventually it would be in Egypt that the Hebrews would grow into a very sizable population according to Exodus 12:37. In time they would form into a nation state under King David which would reach to its peak of greatness in King Solomon. The forerunner of understanding what the descendants of Abraham would become as a nation (goy) was Egypt.
How Egypt Became a Nation State
King Namer’s conquest
Beginning in about 4,000 B.C., Egypt existed in two kingdoms: Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. These two kingdoms were ruled by different kings. Around 3100 B.C., Pharaoh Narmer brought the two kingdoms together through conquest (pictured in the image), creating a unified Egypt. Though he brought the two kingdoms together, there were geographical changes which occurred over the slow progress of centuries (Acts 17:26) making it possible for Egypt to develop and remain the first unified state.
Factor # 1: Changing Geography
In contrast to the 96% of desert we see in Egypt today, in ancient times the land consisted of marshy and rich environments where there were a variety of rich food resources. Fishing and hunting were abundant. This changed with the recess and stabilization of post-glacial sea levels which originated with the Flood. With the receding of water, the environment became less swampy which transformed into wider, more open, well-drained floodplains.
Factor # 2: Changing Food Source
As the environment changed, Egypt gradually became less rich in these food resources. Over time it would lose a significant amount of its primary food sources. Each succeeding generation would have had a slightly harder job of supporting itself. This would necessitate that the Egyptians shift toward farming. They kept pigs and grew more crops.
Factor # 3: Growing Food Surpluses
As Egyptians took up farming, a wealth of agricultural production developed that was at greater levels than any other area where farming had been practiced. This was because of the Nile River and its annual flooding provided a highly fertile soil which brought increasing surpluses of food. Large groups of people could be organized to carry out irrigation projects and to expand the agricultural wealth of a unified Egypt. The need to administer this surplus created the necessity for a unified state. Benjamin Pennington, professor of archaeology at University of Southampton, writes:
Early hieroglyphics from this time record transactions into and out of the state treasury, while the “capital” and royal court were set up at the obvious place—near modern-day Cairo—binding the agricultural powerhouse of the delta with the older centers of culture upstream.
The managing of these surpluses necessitated the need for a powerful centralized government. Eventually this centralized government made possible the construction of public monuments, such as the pyramids, and other cultural achievements. The geographical changes in Egypt not only helped stimulate farming production, but played a major role in the emergence of the first nation state. This was a major gift to the world.
How God Used Egypt As the First Nation State
As a nation state they were a source of refuge for God’s people.
- Abraham fled to Egypt during famine (Genesis 12:10-20)
- Jacob and his family fled to Egypt during famine (Genesis 46:1-34)
- Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-18)
Because of the resources of Egypt, it was a place of refuge for the Jewish patriarchs and Jesus.
As a nation state they were a model to other nations.
For Israel and the rest of the world, Egypt was an example of a people developing defined borders, a centralized administrative state, and a common unified culture. With the establishing of nation states, this allowed for the increased flow of information and travel for ideas to spread. For Israel, they could become one (goy) and not just distinct tribes or peoples (mishpachah) because they lived and grew inside of the first nation state.
Story of Grace 