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	PERSPECTIVE July 21, 2008   In Exodus when the Israelites were leaving Egypt, God told them to ask for gold and valuables from their neighbors.  He said, “Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (Exodus 11:2)  Now, for the Israelites, this was probably very strange.  First of all, how awkward for them as slaves to approach their masters and ask them for, not just a handout, but a valuable handout!  They had to have been questioning what God was asking them to do.  Secondly, they probably were wondering why in the world God would have them tote all that stuff when they were obviously going on a long journey.  Hadn’t God heard the phrase, “Traveling light?”  If you keep reading you will get to the part where God instructs the Israelites to make the priests’ garments and the tabernacle furnishings.  As He carefully listed off what the people should make and how to make it, it was clear that God was thinking ahead when He asked them to take the gold and other valuables from the Egyptians.  He knew in advance what He was asking and how it would all turn out.  Exodus 12: 35-36 says, “The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing.  The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.”  Even though the Israelites couldn’t see the big picture of what they were facing, God could. He had it all under control.  He didn’t ask them to do anything He hadn’t already prepared them to do.   What are the “Egypts” in your life?  Are there areas where God is asking you to do something and you don’t know why or how it will work? Remember, God knows the future and provides for our needs ahead of time.   He sees the big picture, when all we see is what is right in front of us.  We can only have a big picture of life when I see it through His eyes.  Let this truth bring you peace and hope today in whatever you may be facing in life.                                                                                                                 ~Excerpted from a devotional, M. Whalen ”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. ~Isaiah 55:8  When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. ~Psalm 142:3    Trusting in Him Together,  Russ Cadle  Dr. Russ Cadle, President  Friendship Ministries  Phone:  (610) 407-9400  Fax:  (610) 407-9200