Exodus 3:19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
Moses asked God about how his fellow Israelites would receive the news of the deliverance from Egypt, but getting the people of Israel behind Moses was only a small part of the struggle ahead – what about the Egyptians? How would they ever agree to let this free labor force leave the country? Without Moses asking, God answered this question. God knew this from the beginning. He knew what it would take to move the heart of Pharaoh, and the plagues and calamities to come where engineered for a specific purpose and they were not haphazardly planned. God promised to arrange things not only to move Pharaoh’s heart, but also to move the heart of the Egyptian people so that when Israel did depart, they would be showered with silver and gold and clothing. This was not stealing or extortion, it was the appropriate wages for the years of forced labor. (Guzik)
God knew beforehand, and acquaints them with it, that, when it came to pass, they might be induced to believe that the mission of Moses was of God, rather than the contrary. (Gill)
With the command, “Go and gather the elders of Israel together,” God then gave Moses further instructions with reference to the execution of his mission. On his arrival in Egypt he was first of all to inform the elders, as the representatives of the nation (i.e., the heads of the families, households, and tribes), of the appearance of God to him, and the revelation of His design, to deliver His people out of Egypt and bring them to the land of the Canaanites. He was then to go with them to Pharaoh, and make known to him their resolution, in consequence of this appearance of God. (Keil and Delitzsch )
I try to understand what must have been Moses thoughts to this revelation from God. Israel has been in slavery and treated harshly for over close to 300 years. This is the life they knew. It was just the way things were. They knew no different. Think about it; God captures Moses attention (Burning Bush), speaks to Moses, commissions him to lead his people, and reveals how His mighty hand will deliver them. Moses has been gone from Egypt for 40 years and was 70-80 years old. We are never too old to be used by God. We are never too far removed to be sent.
What keeps us from being used by God? Is it willingness? Is it lack of or willing to listen for the Holy spirit’s leading and guiding? Is it a shallow commitment to serving or willing to serve God? Is it being consumed by the busyness of life and how we choose to live? Is it because we choose to neglect studying and meditating on God’s Word? A shallow commitment to God’s Word will lead to a very shallow understanding of what it means to live in such a way the honors and glorifies Jesus Christ in all we think, say, and do.
