The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.
Exodus 12:33-36 NIV
Finally… after chapters and chapters of seeing God pour out plagues and Pharaoh change his mind over and over, the Israelites are free. I found it so interesting that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Part of me wanted to say, “wouldn’t it have been easier to just do this peacefully,” but we’re reminded multiple times throughout the passage that this is a key moment in Israel’s history that is linked to it’s purpose… the purpose we saw with Abraham. They were blessed to be a blessing, and this time in Egypt is fascinating in it’s significance toward that end. Although they were in slavery, this is the time in scripture that we see God continue to bless them. They grew from a single family to a nation of millions of people. In the Exodus account we see it over and over again that God blessed them even in their time of oppression. I think maybe there is a message for us in that.
When we read that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, it wasn’t just because he needed a bad guy to pin things on. There was a purpose there as well that we don’t see until later, but get the first hints of. Moses tells us in this story that the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was purposeful so that God could do wonders on behalf of his people and make his purpose for them known.
We learn in Chapter 11 that Moses was highly regarded by the Egyptians, even the officials. Pharaoh may have been blinded toward the destruction around him, but the people were taking note of the power of God. They didn’t blame God or the Israelites for this. They knew it would be over if the Israelites were freed.
This brings us to the passage above, where we see that the Egyptians not only feared the Lord as he acted on behalf of his people, but they also equipped the for the journey and beyond. I just find it so amazing that God knew what he was doing all along, and used it to send his people out from their slavery, not empty-handed but blessed.
From Joseph’s story to the Exodus, God knew what he was doing with his people in Israel, and had a plan to bring them into blessing as he had promised Abraham. We’re not quite there yet in the story, but I love seeing the whole of the story unfold. I hope you’re blessed as we Read Together, and if you feel like you’ve been in a season of oppression, I know our God can bring you out with blessing and into promise!
Blessings,
Pastor Ryan