Favor in Unfavorable Circumstances
In Exodus 11:3 we find a very surprising statement, "And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people." As the Egyptians were being tormented by the 10 plagues, they were seeing the Israelites and Moses in a favorable manner. Even though they knew that the terrible circumstances they were enduring came because of Moses and his people, the Egyptians still saw Moses as a great person. How could this happen?
Well, first of all, I must say that the Bible clearly says that "the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians." The favor came because of God's power to influence people, even people who do not believe in Him. However, I believe it is because the unbelievers saw the way the people and Moses conducted themselves. Also, they were impressed by the power of God working miracles through Moses and protecting the Israelites. It was evident to the Egyptians that there was a big difference between Pharaoh and Moses, as well as between them and the Hebrews. God's Spirit helped them to see those things as a witness that the Lord is the One True and Living God.
The same thing happens today when unbelievers see a very sincere, moral follower of Jesus. They don't often change their belief, because they do not want to change their lifestyle, but they do have favor toward those true believers. One huge example is Billy Graham. Think of how many times unbelievers have heard him say, "the Bible says" this or that. They have even heard him speak about those who don't trust Christ going to Hell. However, they still respect him and give him favor. When an unbeliever gets in trouble, many times they go to the church for help. Why is that the case? They have favor toward Christians, and they believe they have a better chance of getting help from them than from others. People know genuine righteousness when they see it. They know the pure power of God, too. When they see those things, they know God is real, but they may not give in to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 12-15.
Well, first of all, I must say that the Bible clearly says that "the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians." The favor came because of God's power to influence people, even people who do not believe in Him. However, I believe it is because the unbelievers saw the way the people and Moses conducted themselves. Also, they were impressed by the power of God working miracles through Moses and protecting the Israelites. It was evident to the Egyptians that there was a big difference between Pharaoh and Moses, as well as between them and the Hebrews. God's Spirit helped them to see those things as a witness that the Lord is the One True and Living God.
The same thing happens today when unbelievers see a very sincere, moral follower of Jesus. They don't often change their belief, because they do not want to change their lifestyle, but they do have favor toward those true believers. One huge example is Billy Graham. Think of how many times unbelievers have heard him say, "the Bible says" this or that. They have even heard him speak about those who don't trust Christ going to Hell. However, they still respect him and give him favor. When an unbeliever gets in trouble, many times they go to the church for help. Why is that the case? They have favor toward Christians, and they believe they have a better chance of getting help from them than from others. People know genuine righteousness when they see it. They know the pure power of God, too. When they see those things, they know God is real, but they may not give in to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 12-15.