The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. The plundering of Egypt, commanded in Exodus 3:22 and 11:2, now occurs. Israel asks their Egyptian neighbors and receives what God prepared the Egyptians to give. The exchange is not coerced; God arranged the disposition. Four hundred years of unpaid labor is partially compensated in silver, gold, and clothing. Psalm 105:37 notes this explicitly: he brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold. The wealth Israel carries out of Egypt will fund the construction of the tabernacle — Exodus 25:2–7 lists the materials contributed by the people, and every item has its origin in this night of asking. The gold that becomes the golden calf and the gold that becomes the tabernacle both come from the same source: Egypt's gift given on the night of the Exodus.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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