Foreign domination and the subsequent loss of identity are recurring themes throughout the biblical narrative, reflecting periods when the Israelites were subjugated by foreign powers, leading to significant cultural and spiritual challenges. These experiences are pivotal in understanding the history and theology of the Israelite people as depicted in the Scriptures.

Egyptian Bondage

The first major instance of foreign domination occurs in Egypt, where the Israelites lived in bondage for several centuries. This period is marked by severe oppression and a struggle to maintain their distinct identity as God's chosen people. Exodus 1:13-14 states, "They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor, the Egyptians used them ruthlessly." The deliverance from Egypt, led