Acts 7:6 “But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS.
Acts 7:7 “‘AND WHATEVER NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE IN BONDAGE I MYSELF WILL JUDGE,’ said God, ‘AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.’
Acts 7:17 ¶ “But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,
Nothing is more painful than to experience rejection and mistreatment at the hands of others. When that happens, the accuser is always there telling you that you have no value, and that God’s affection has been withdrawn. Israel experienced mistreatment and rejection for 400 years and yet they never stopped being the Apple of God’s eye. Remember that Israel didn’t deserve the treatment they got. Joseph had been the source of blessing to them. If it had not been for him, Egypt would have starved, just like the rest of the region during the 7 years of famine. Why the rejection? Why did they move from a place of great favor and influence (Joseph was the Vice President of Egypt) to a place of rejection and mistreatment. The people of Egypt became jealous and threatened by the growth of the Jews, and God’s favor on them. Often, when you experience rejection and mistreatment at the hands of others it’s because they are being driven by a “Spirit of Envy.”
The important thing is to notice what God accomplished in them during their time of mistreatment. When Jacob’s family all moved to Egypt, to be under Joseph’s care, there were 75 people and they had no national identity. During their time of mistreatment they grew, and their identity, as Israel (the Prince of God) was formed. When they came out of Egypt they were more than 2 million and were a mighty nation. Also, when they came out of the time of rejection and mistreatment they were prepared to move into their place of inheritance and destiny in Canaan. Whenever you and I go through the pain of reaction and mistreatment, which can sometimes feel like 400 years, God wants to use that season in your life to set you free from being bent towards others, and find your identity in Him. He wants to grow you up there, and multiply your heart, and anointing, and then finally having done all He wants to do in you, He wants bring you into your full inheritance and destiny in Him.