Exodus 3:20-22 "And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."
In verse nineteen of this chapter, God has just assured Moses that Pharaoh will not let the children of Israel go a three days journey apart to worship Him. God was sure that Pharaoh would not do this because it was not God’s will for the king of Egypt to let the Israelites go yet. In fact, Pharaoh made the bondage of the Israelites harder after this request. However, God had a purpose in this as He does in all things.
In the above verses, we begin to see a portion of that purpose. God had seen the afflictions of Israel at the hands of the Egyptians. He intended to stretch forth His mighty hand against those who had afflicted His people. The word translated here as “hand” carried the idea of doing so with “power, means, direction, etc.” according to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionary. God’s work in this matter was with intent and deliberation.
As the Egyptians had smitten the children of Israel, so God intended to smite the Egyptians with wonders. I AM was going to cause Egypt to see the power of His might. He was going to do things in their midst of such magnitude that they could not deny that this power was beyond the ability of men. He was going to cause both Egypt and Israel to know that the God of the Hebrews was more than an idol of gold or silver.
All though Joseph was held in high regard, that regard did not extend to the children of Israel after Joseph died. The children of Israel were looked upon as being little better than beasts of burden for the building of Egypt. Yet, God caused them to suddenly receive kindness at the hands of the people of Egypt. God told Moses that when (not if) the children of Israel left the land of Egypt, they would not go empty-handed.
God instructed the women of the children of Israel to borrow (request) of the Egyptians the finery of their houses. They were to ask for items wrought in silver and gold and for their good clothes. God caused the Egyptians to grant whatever the Israelites asked for. Remember that it is estimated that there were over two million people who left Egypt. Such a great host of them had borrowed from the Egyptians that the land of Egypt was spoiled as though by war.
Dear ones, life sometimes gets very difficult. In challenging times, expect God to show great wonders in your life. Expect Him to deliver you with a mighty hand that all who see may know that you serve the Living God. Know that He will not send you out of any situation “empty.” He will fill you with a deeper understanding of Him, and His purpose, His love, and His grace as He separates you from the love of worldly things and the trials of life.