“And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians.” — Exodus 3:21-22 (NIV84)
One million people living as slaves all set free at the same time has its own challenges. This is especially true when you come to know that the journey will take these people through the desert for 40 years. It’s great to be saved, but not if the next day you are going to die of starvation or want for clothing and money. So God made sure that the Egyptians were “favorably disposed” to the Israelites by the end of the last plague. As they left Egypt, rescued by the mighty hand of God, the Egyptians provided the Israelites with clothing, gold, silver, and other necessities. They gave to the Israelites as though they were plundered in battle. In this way God provided for the Israelites in a physical way. By the way, have you ever wondered how the Israelites came up with all the gold, silver, bronze, fabric and such to build the tabernacle in the desert? Most of it was from this bountiful provision the Lord provided through the “favorably disposed” Egyptians.
But what about you and me? Does God still provide for us the way He did with the children of Israel? The answer is yes! If we think back, we can find times where the Lord brought us provision when it was seemingly impossible. I can recall specific times in my life that God did what seemed impossible to meet my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. I am sure you can, too. But it is not just in miraculous ways that God provides for us. He quietly cares for us each and every moment of our lives. Step back and take a quick inventory of your life. Just look at the many ways God provides for you. He provides family, home, food, health; but most important, He provides us with eternity. We can be assured of our eternal destiny because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
God’s provision is not something we wish for. Rather, it is a certainty we hope for!
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church