Settling

Exodus 10:24-26

Pharaoh summoned Moshe and said, “Go, worship ADONAI; only leave your flocks and herds behind – your children may go with you.”  Moshe answered, “You must also see to it that we have sacrifices and burnt offerings, so that we can sacrifice to ADONAI our God.  Our livestock will also go with us – not a hoof will be left behind – because we must choose some of them to worship ADONAI our God, and we don’t know which ones we will need to worship ADONAI until we get there.”

I’ve read this story a hundred times, and heard it probably as many times.  Moshe tells Pharaoh to let the people of Isra’el go, but over and over Pharaoh refuses.  This time this particular verse struck me. Pharaoh says they can go (he actually does this the previous time too, but won’t let them take their children),  as long as they leave their animals behind (animals and herds, at this time, were like money, and to leave them behind would have meant starvation and death).  Moshe says that is not acceptable and the people won’t leave without them.

Seems insignificant, right?  But did you catch the part where Pharaoh let them go (albeit, conditionally)?  If I were in a difficult spot and I was offered the chance to go, I’d go.  I’d think, “Whew!  God’s finally getting me out of here!”  I’d take the best offer they’d give me and run. But that’s not what Moshe does.  He refuses to settle for “whatever he can get.”  He stands firm and says that the people must take all their things, including their children and livestock.  When Isra’el goes, they’re going in style!  Obviously, it’s important to note that Moshe was in the middle of a rather unusual situation and had been speaking at the behest of God.  But, God never wants us to leave a difficult situation with our tails tucked between our legs, whimpering and escaping by the skin of our teeth!  He won total victory for us!  He is THE God!  He is almighty and powerful and strong and awesome!  God doesn’t whimper.  God also doesn’t settle for whatever He can get.  It’s all His.  And He’s not leaving it behind!

The point that really made me stop was, “How often do I settle for less because I’m in such a hurry to get out of the situation I’m in?”  How often have I left my Egypt, but left behind the spoils and my belongings?

Shortly after Moshe leaves Pharaoh,  God tells the people to ask their neighbors for their gold and silver jewelry, and He gives the Isra’elites so much favor that all the Egyptians load them up with their jewelry (which, being gold and silver, would be like the Egyptians emptying their bank accounts to give it to the Isra’elites)!  Talk about taking it all when you go!  This is how we are to live!  We don’t leave with a whimper and with our tail tucked between our legs!  We leave with all the spoils of the situation we’re walking out of!  We walk out with all our belongings, all our blessings, and take the ones that belong to the enemy, too!

ADONAI, Lord of Hosts, may I have the boldness to walk in Your great favor and to only leave when I can take the treasures of my enemies with me; not leaving behind any of the things You’ve blessed me with, not settling for whatever I can get, and not leaving before Your glory has been manifested!  May I walk in the victory You promise, and believe that when You give the victory, it is total and complete.  I praise You that you make those around me favorable disposed towards me, and that I am regarded highly by my enemies, and that You have already won my victory!  Hallelu Ya!