Egypt, as we know, is a picture of the world governed by Satan’s principles and philosophies. Our salvation through Christ is, therefore, a picture of deliverance from the world system. In order to fare well in our new found life in Christ, it is of necessity to burn the bridge. When we talk of burning the bridge, we mean making it impossible to return to certain persons, places or organizations. That is how Christians ought to sever their relationship with the world. Hebrews 11 tells us of the exploits of several heroes of faith. One of their major secrets was that they burnt their bridges. That is what our text is harping on. They did not give consideration to the place from where God called them. Had they preoccupied their minds with the place they left, they would have seen reasons to return that way. I think this was the problem with Lot’s wife. God in His mercy brought her family out of Sodom, but she did not burn the bridge. She looked back and became a pillar of salt.
Whenever we begin to miss the world, the tempter is around the corner. If we go about telling everybody how we miss what we did as unbelievers, we cast a big shadow on our salvation. Genuine salvation experience should make us lose the appeal for the old life. As a matter of fact, we should be ashamed of certain lifestyles associated with the world. Israel lamented what they left back in Egypt. They seem to have preferred losing their freedom to satisfy certain appetites. Our call to Christ is meant to alter our tastes and priorities. Until this is achieved, we are not far from Satan’s stronghold.