In Exodus 36 (vv.2-7) the people of Isreal donate their silver and gold to the Lord in having the Ark, Tabernacle and other requirements for worship constructed. According to the text there was so much they had to stop; they were actually "restrained from giving for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more." But... where does an impoverished 400 year old slave nation get that kind of wealth?
Before leaving Egypt the people of Israel were instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbours for gold and silver jewelry (Exodus 11:2, 12:36). The response was unbelievable and as a slave nation this influx of valuables likely constituted the vast majority of their wealth post-Exodus. As their trip from Egypt to Sinai likely did not make them wealthy in its own right, it's logical to conclude that the vast majority of the gold and silver used in the construction of the Ark, Tabernacle, gold plated utensils, etc. came from Egypt.
The themes resident in this realization are somewhat striking; that the Lord's victory over Egypt isn't that he left her in ruins, but that he broke her to the core and used her treasures to build his kingdom, for his glory: his house. It's his final proclamation of victory, that out of Egypt's heart he pulled a prized people (Egypt's labour force) and embarrassed her by taking her best and making it into his dwelling. It's the ultimate endgame insult to Pharaoh (who, having drowned in the Red Sea, is now dead; making this more than just a victory over a dead guy but an insult to his memory).
Before leaving Egypt the people of Israel were instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbours for gold and silver jewelry (Exodus 11:2, 12:36). The response was unbelievable and as a slave nation this influx of valuables likely constituted the vast majority of their wealth post-Exodus. As their trip from Egypt to Sinai likely did not make them wealthy in its own right, it's logical to conclude that the vast majority of the gold and silver used in the construction of the Ark, Tabernacle, gold plated utensils, etc. came from Egypt.
The themes resident in this realization are somewhat striking; that the Lord's victory over Egypt isn't that he left her in ruins, but that he broke her to the core and used her treasures to build his kingdom, for his glory: his house. It's his final proclamation of victory, that out of Egypt's heart he pulled a prized people (Egypt's labour force) and embarrassed her by taking her best and making it into his dwelling. It's the ultimate endgame insult to Pharaoh (who, having drowned in the Red Sea, is now dead; making this more than just a victory over a dead guy but an insult to his memory).
It's a powerful message, that out of the world's worst injustice he pulled everything he needed to establish his covenant with Earth. What's interesting is that in doing so he left Egypt gutted, without an heir (governmentally directionless), robbed of her workforce, spiritually disillusioned, famished, defenseless (all of her best military having drowned in the Red Sea) and plundered. This reinforces the truth that all wealth and blessing come from the Lord and that his withdrawal (or outright opposition) leaves a nation destitute, plundered and alone.
It also means that for those believers suffering in Christ, not only is the Lord victorious over all that, but that it is out of the suffering conditions itself that the Lord can pull everything he needs to accomplish his ends.
Anyway, I could go on but I think you get my point.
.:. Sven .:.
Anyway, I could go on but I think you get my point.
.:. Sven .:.
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