The next few posts are from a 5 part devotional series I shared with our Kingdom Builder's team at church (before we transitioned it more to a community). It's pulling and tracing the thread found in the story of Israel and the exodus. While I'm posting these, I'm pulling at a thread that kept coming up as I've been reading the bible this past year and will hopefully be able to make a thread of posts (yes I said thread again) after this 5 part series.

So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing.  And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.”
Exodus 12:34–36

God did a mighty miracle in bringing Israel out of Egypt. They went through many hard times and challenges before being free. Even as God was outworking His plan, things got harder for them! 

Moses was obeying God and telling Pharaoh to let God’s people go, but instead Pharaoh doubled down and made their work harder. Before, Israel was provided with straw to make bricks; now they had to make the same number of bricks but also go and harvest the straw themselves. They were looked down upon and shown even less favour. They thought they were on a downward spiral, but then God did a miracle.

Finally Pharaoh let them go. And the people of Egypt showed them great favour. Being slaves for 400 years meant they weren’t wealthy, they didn’t have great riches or nice things. But suddenly their neighbours who days before wouldn’t have even given them a glass of water were suddenly open to giving them gold and silver and clothing. They left Egypt richer and with more than they came into the land with, even though 400 years prior when they first moved into Egypt they were a free people and came into the land with favour (see Genesis 45-47).

Let’s remember God is miraculous and almighty! Don’t serve Him for the miracles, don’t give to try and get, but know that no matter what is happening in our lives, God can do a miracle and bring change in an instant.