There was this young man that I sometimes talked to briefly, but I didn’t really know him very well. He’s an American, but when he was young, he spent most of his early childhood growing up in Egypt.
One day I saw that he was wearing a cross. To start a conversation, I said, “I see you’re wearing a cross. I’m assuming then that you’re a Christian.”
“Yes,” he answered. He started to talk a little bit about that and then he got called away. As he was turning, I could’ve sworn I heard him softly say, “But God doesn’t like Egyptians very much.”
This shocked me. It’s possible I heard him wrong, but I never got a chance to ask him. First, I wondered how he could think that. God made all people so of course he loves us all and wants all of us to be saved, but then I remembered the books of Moses.
God’s people, the Israelites, were in bondage to Egypt during the time of Moses. Plus, the Egyptians were worshipping false gods, so of course God was angry with them. He said some harsh things about Pharoah and the Egyptians. God was just as angry with the Israelites (or anyone else) when they went astray and worshipped idols. So, God’s anger wasn’t because they were Egyptian, but because they were sinning and rejecting the one true God. But….
After reading the story of Moses again, I could see where he might get that impression, so I decided to start writing down verses I came across that would prove that God is for all nations and all people. There are many, but I’ll only list a few.
I’ll start with this verse:
Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
God also told the Israelites not to abhor the Egyptians, so he was looking out for them and making sure they weren’t judged harshly.
Deuteronomy 23:7 Do not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived as an alien in his country.
There’s a ton of verses about God loving all people and wishing for them all to be saved. Here are some of them.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
Acts 28:28 Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!
Romans 3: 22-24 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too…”
For those who might not know; a Gentile is anyone who is not Jewish / an Israelite. If a verse mentions the Jewish people (Israelites) and the Gentiles; it is basically saying everyone.
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
Galatians 3:7 Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.
If God rejected a nation or race, etc. it would be like saying he made a mistake; certain people are inferior. God made us because he wanted people to love and he wanted people who loved him. He doesn’t make mistakes. All of us can be confident that we are loved and cherished by God, our Father. This is wonderful news!
God loves us all!
Michigan Mary 
We serve an Awesome loving God, what a blessing it is to meet fellow Christians that are from all over the world and to have fellowship together, if only for a brief moment.
In those brief encounters we can help uplift one another, discover new and interesting cultures, and also give glory to our Father of ALL nations.
Though you were not able to ask the young man whether you heard him correctly, we can pray that he is affirmed by the Holy Spirit of our Heavenly Father’s love toward him regardless of his nationality.
What we might consider a chance encounter, is often by divine design; brothers and sisters in Christ meeting at a crossroad. Two members of the faith family
connecting and in doing so, walking away with a sweet memory and thanksgiving to our Father for ALWAYS having His eye on His sparrows.
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That young man and I are on different shifts now, but I might run into him again someday. I hope so. I believe that too, that what seems like coincidence has to be by divine design. God astounds me at how he arranges everything to work out perfectly and I’m encouraged by all my fellow believers I find on this site. Blessings to you! A fellow sparrow.
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For a self-proclaimed non-Bible scholar, you’re doing some pretty amazing work!
See also Isaiah 19, especially verse 25:”The Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance’.”
As you wisely pointed out, it is not Egyptians Father hates, but idolatry and any who practice it. But even then, any time ANYone repents and trusts in Jesus, they can be forgiven and adopted into the family of The God Who Is.
❤️&🙏, c.a.
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Thank you for the compliment! That’s a great verse you found. I’m glad we have a God that loves us all and will forgive anyone who comes to him in repentance. He’s amazing.
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