Today’s devotion comes from Exodus Chapter 11.
“1 Now the Lord said to Moses, “One more plague I will bring on Pharaoh and on Egypt; after that he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out from here completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people that each man ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold.” 3 The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.
4 Moses said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, 5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well. 6 Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again. 7 But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 All these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves before me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who follow you,’ and after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
9 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” Exodus 11:1-10.
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“The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. …” Verse 3. Thus, the people were able to get gold and silver from the Egyptians. “I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.” Exodus 3:21.
It is interesting that God both did this one great miracle and also did something as subtle as giving favor. We can glean a lesson from this fact.
God gives us favor with certain people to help us do our work. We see examples of the favor that God gave His people throughout Scripture.
As one example, consider the favor that Joseph had with both Potiphar, and later, with the chief jailer in Genesis Chapter 39. “So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.” Genesis 39:4. “But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. The chief jailer committed to Joseph’s charge all the prisoners who were in the jail; so that whatever was done there, he was responsible for it. The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper. ” Genesis 39:21-23.
And yet, sometimes, we only want that one great miracle (whatever that may be) and do not sufficiently consider the help of favor with others that God does give to us to help us do our work.
“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.” Psalm 90:17.
But, let us not be lazy. Although God can “miraculously” (or through no contribution from us) give us favor with others, God often gives us favor through His teaching, a good understanding, and wisdom that comes through our study and our application of His word.
“1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.” Psalm 3:1-4.
“15 Good understanding produces favor,
But the way of the treacherous is hard.
16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool displays folly.” Proverbs 13:15-16.
“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1.
“And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52.
“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 