YOU WILL NOT GO EMPTY

 

21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: Ex 3:21 (KJV)

 

 

 

            In the book of Exodus, God says that Pharaoh is going to let Israel go.  This comes after many times of saying no to their desires to leave Egypt.  God knew the time would come when Pharaoh would grant them a brief window in which to leave.  As they left God said they would not leave empty handed.

            What does this mean?  On the surface it means that they would be taking possessions with them.  They went away with the Egyptians gold and silver jewels as well as their clothing.  Many of the Egyptians gave them this spoil just so they would leave and the plagues would stop.  “And they spoiled the Egyptians.”  Exodus 12:36b.

            Israel left Egypt with far greater possessions than the material spoil they received from the Egyptians.  God provided Israel with a leader.  He was God called.  Moses had a very clear distinct call.  He was not only called to be a servant of the Most High God but to specifically lead Israel out of Egypt and to Canaan.  Israel had known Pharaoh as a king and had known taskmasters but now God was providing a leader who was “of” them and “for” them.  Israel’s leader was full of wisdom and because of his close relationship with God he would make good decisions.  He carried the heart and mind of God.

            Pharaoh had tried to strip down the amount of people who would actually leave.  Moses would not agree, so they left possessing their old, their young, and their cattle.  They left all together.  They left with a greater faith in God.  Israel now possessed the knowledge that they had a God in Heaven who heard and answered their prayers.  It was now apparent that their tears had not gone unnoticed.  There was a God-promised destiny in the Hebrews possession. They were not only escaping the Egyptians but they had a place to go that was their promised land.

            We too have been delivered from bondage but we are not empty.  God has placed much in our possession.  It would do us good to count our blessings.

 

 

 

Yours in Christ,

 

Brother Randy Burtram

 

(Originally published June 21, 2015)