God hardened Moses to desert living in the place he would spend another 40 years of his life. The adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter learned meekness and humility and, at the same time, grew physically stronger and more hardened for the task ahead. At the end of 40 years, Moses was charged with stalking into the throne room of the most powerful man in the region and demanding that he allow the Israelites—his bond slaves—to pack up and leave Goshen. Moses transitioned from being nobody to being somebody. He received enormous preference from the Egyptians because of God’s grace and favor.
After Moses encountered his brother, Aaron, in the desert, the two men made their way to the palace to challenge Pharaoh. With his refusal to let the Israelites go, God began to visit ten plagues on the land. Rather than persuade the ruler, it did the opposite, and the burdens that had been placed on the children of Jacob were intensified. The last plague, the death of all of Egypt’s firstborn, was the final straw for the rebellious Pharaoh. Finally, he declared that the Israelites could go free. But they did not go empty handed.
The night before the Passover lamb was to be offered and its blood applied to the doorposts of the homes of every Israelite, Jehovah sent them forth to their neighbors and gave them great favor and specific instructions: “‘Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.’ And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people” (Exodus 11:2-3).
What incredible favor extended to a group of slaves! What would your reaction be if someone knocked on your door and politely asked you for your gold and silver, assuming you had any available? God had paved the way for His people. When the knock sounded on the door, whatever was owned by the Egyptian captors was readily given to the Israelites. Joseph’s descendants were set free bearing the blessings of Jehovah as they hurriedly followed Moses to the Red Sea. Psalm 105:37 says, “He also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble among his tribes.” In the midst of their captivity, Jehovah-Mephalti—the Lord my Deliverer—blessed His people with both health and wealth.
Moses discovered that the favor of Jehovah God could open doors that no man could shut! It provided material goods that would never have been offered to the suffering Israelites in bondage to the Egyptians. God had granted favor to the children of Israel when that seemed impossible. Favor with man enjoyed by Believers is a gracious gift from our heavenly Father.