Compelled

As we enter into a new year I have been mulling over a couple of verses in Exodus these past few days.  I originally posted the short version of this on Facebook but wanted to expand some thoughts on these verses that I had. In meditating over these verses I realized that they have a message of optimism for those who are disciples of a loving and wonderful God.  About a week ago I began reading and studying in Exodus, specifically the life of Moses, during my quiet time.  The last few verses of chapter 3 really captured my attention and I feel God showed me something new, that I had to share.  I believe this is a word not only for me, but for many of you as you walk through your daily lives.

Here are the verses:

But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians."
Exodus 3:19‭-‬22 NASB 

I have been going through a life changing year and a half and have questioned many things that have occurred over that last one to two years, and these verses really spoke to me.   As I read these verses the words "under compulsion" caught my attention.  Websters defines the root word compel as: "to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly; to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure".

God "compelled" the king of Egypt, Pharaoh, to free the Israelites from slavery and the Egyptians, while hating the Jews, were "compelled" to show "favor" to them providing silver, gold and "fine clothing" (NLT translation) to replace their slave's rags that did not wear out for 40+ years. God pulled them out of the enemy's grasp and on to a path of redemption to a promised land. God, in essence, forced the enemy/slave driving Egyptians to "show favor" to the nation of Israel and as a result provided for them as they began their journey to the Promised land. He plundered Egypt.

Then it kind of hit me....Pharaoh, and to a lesser degree the Egyptian nation, is a picture of Satan, our enemy, and through the majesty and power of Yahweh Jehovah, he is "under compulsion" to "show favor" to us as we are God's adopted children! Satan, is and will be required to show favor to Jesus Christ, and to us as God's children, providing "silver, gold and fine clothing" for our journey to the Promised Land.

Because of who God is and who we are in Jesus Christ, the enemy is bound, by God's power to show us favor.  This is a very difficult concept for us a Christians to comprehend, especially for me.  When Satan attacks us, and we allow him to place us into "slavery", it often seems there is no way out.  Just like the Jews facing slavery, we cry out and ask for deliverance.  God steps in and "compels" the world around us, the enemy's realm, to "show us favor".  At this point, please do not confuse this word as a prosperity ideology message that is so prevalent in our world today.  It's not.  Does this mean we will not see trials and problems?  No, it won't. Just look at what happened after Israel left Egypt.  Pharaoh and his army pursued the Jews with the intention of destroying them, but God intervened here also. When we discover our purpose and role in God's plans, there will be provision for that role (and yes, I'm talking to myself here). We, and I include myself first and foremost in this process, need to realize that God will "under compulsion" force Satan to not only free us, but to show us "favor".  

God has "plundered" Egypt!  Will He not do the same fore us?