Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 3:18-22.
“They will pay heed to what you say; and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt and you will say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. 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. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians.” Exodus 3:18-22.
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As amazing and awesome God’s miracles were by which He struck Egypt, God’s grant of favor to His people in the sight of the Egyptians was equally amazing and awesome. Despite the number and intensity of these miracles the king of Egypt did not let Israel merely go until the last of the miracles a/k/a plagues. God hardened the heart of Pharaoh. In comparison, the one and only grant of favor by God to Israel, His people, resulted in the Egyptians voluntarily giving their valuables (articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing) to Israel. God softened the hearts of the Egyptians.
The purpose of this comparison and this devotion is to lead us to meditate on God’s favor toward us.
“For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12.
“For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”
The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Exodus 33:16-19.
We know from Romans chapter 9 that this statement (“I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”) is the basis of our salvation and is one of the finest expressions of “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt. Thus, in one word, God’s favor of us is the basis or reason of our salvation.
“4 Remember me, O LORD, in Your favor toward Your people;
Visit me with Your salvation,
5 That I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones,
That I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation,
That I may glory with Your inheritance.” Psalm 106:4-5.
“O LORD, You showed favor to Your land;
You restored the captivity of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of Your people;
You covered all their sin. Selah.
3 You withdrew all Your fury;
You turned away from Your burning anger.” Psalm 85:1-3.
“4 Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:4-5.
“For by their own sword they did not possess the land,
And their own arm did not save them,
But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence,
For You favored them.” Psalm 44:3.
“By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.” Psalm 51:18.
“For You are the glory of their strength,
And by Your favor our horn is exalted.” Psalm 89:17.
“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.
“I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.” Psalm 119:58.
“10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:10-11.
“For he who finds me (wisdom) finds life
And obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 8:35.
“He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
But he who seeks evil, evil will come to him.” Proverbs 11:27.
“A good man will obtain favor from the LORD,
But He will condemn a man who devises evil.” Proverbs 12:2.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the LORD.” Proverbs 18:22.
“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1.
“Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,” Romans 4:4.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 