March 5… say what now?

The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” ³⁴ So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. ³⁵ The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. ³⁶ 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

If you had asked me yesterday how well I know the Exodus story I would have told you I knew it very well. Moses in a basket, the burning bush, the plagues, passover, the parting of the sea… I have both read the book (several times) and seen the movie (animated and not!). But I tell you, I never noticed this amazing God stuff that happened on the way out of dodge once it was God’s time for the people to leave for freedom.

The Israelites- the slaves in Egypt- weren’t asking to leave anymore. Now the former power holders were encouraging them to leave and do it quickly and on the way out-  The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. ³⁶ The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for

Say what now? Not only has God made it possible for them to head to freedom but the very people who were holding them are now handing over their valuables to fund the journey! Sometimes in the midst of already big miracles God is doing something just as tremendous in the details.

Once God makes a way- there is no telling what might happen. What are you enslaved to today? Know that God calls us to freedom and when God makes a way for that to happen- sometimes the very thing that held us captive can be a source of strength in our freedom, I’m thinking a modern example might be the recovering addict who finds a career as an addiction counselor or someone who struggles with depression using that wrestling as a tool to empathize with others. As God leads us to freedom sometimes what was oppressing us hands over what we need for what comes next.

May we be patient as God prepares and astounded by what God can do- today and all weekend.

Holy God, we get ourselves enslaved to all sorts of things – lead us into freedom and shake loose what we need from whatever holds us. In Jesus’ name. Amen