So now we jump to the final plague, beginning with chapter 11, verses 1 through 3, and I have entitled this, "The LORD Will Provide." I want to first focus on the three verses of this chapter. It is a reminder that no matter how crazy and dire your situation is, no matter how great the opposition is, no matter how weak and weary you feel, the LORD will provide. It's a theme throughout Scripture, again and again from Genesis through Revelation, that's repeated, the LORD will provide, the LORD will provide, the LORD will provide. And it's so easy for us to panic, to think, "What's going to happen now?"
The LORD said to Moses, "Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry." 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.
Before the final plague, God makes a plan for the provision of his people. And there are three things that I find quite amazing here. First, that Pharaoh will give up, and he will let the Israelites go. Remember, this nation of people that were now servants in Egypt were the economic engine that drove Egypt. This is a big deal. And God is saying, "You be sure that this final plague is it; I will win on your behalf."
Then, the second thing amazes me even more, God told the people of Israel to go and ask for silver and gold jewelry from their masters. I mean, that seems pretty gutsy to me. These slaves who are about to run away say, before we go, "Will you give us your silver and gold jewelry?" And what is amazing here is that the LORD has power to give these lowly servants favor in the eyes of their masters, and their masters actually give them the jewelry! On a human level, it just seems unreal-it almost doesn't make any sense. But God was providing for his people and giving them favor with the people that they were about to forsake.
The third thing is amazing to me too. It says that "Moses had become very great in the land of Egypt." It's kind of a "back to the future moment!" This exile, who was raised by Pharaoh's daughter in Pharaoh's household, now returns and grows in stature until all of Egypt knew who he was and the power that he had. It says here that even "Pharaoh's servants had come to respect and fear Moses." That's what God is able to do. God is able to give you stature to do what he's called you to do. He's able to give you respect to do what he's called for you to do. God can work in ways that we can't work to make what he's called us to possible.
I mean, it's a story that only God could write, the story of making fearful and doubtful people powerful and great, the story of the amazing ways that God provides for his people quite apart from their ability to provide for themselves. But this is the entire story of the Bible. God rules, he uses the weak, and he makes them great; he calls the poor and needy and provides what is needed. Again, the ultimate provision is Jesus who came as a servant, even to death, but is now exalted at the right hand of the Father, ruling over all things for our sake. What a God, what a plan!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. How has it been difficult for you to trust in God's provision for your life? Where have you been tempted to panic when situations look impossible by human standards? What might you be facing on the horizon that feels impossible for you to trust God through it? What might be helpful to remind yourself of when it comes to the provision of the Lord for you?
2. Is there something that God is calling you to do right now, but you've been ignoring it because you've been worried about whether or not God would provide for you? If so, take that specific thing to the Lord right now and pray that his provision would be enough for you as you step out in faith to be obedient to his call.
3. In what ways have you seen God work to make what he's called you to possible, even though it may have seemed impossible at first?
4. In the kingdom of God, how is weakness an advantage? Are you willing to admit that you are poor and needy before God in a way that communicates to him that you are proactively seeking his power and wisdom for your life? Take some time to talk to him about that right now.
For Younger Children:
1. Is it hard for you to trust God sometimes? Why is that? Do you think it's hard for me to trust God at times? What do you think is so important about trusting God--why do we need to trust him?
2. What do you think it means to be "called" by God? How can we know God's calling for us? Why is trusting in God's call a chance for us to trust him and grow closer to him?
For Older Children:
1. Why do you think it can be so hard to trust in God sometimes? Can I share with you about a time when it was difficult for me to trust him? Would you be willing to share with me about a time when it was difficult for you to trust him?
2. How can being weak and needy ever be a good thing? How does weakness and neediness lead to God providing? Why is your relationship with God more important than the tangible things he provides for you?
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