Exodus: Gift of Favor

The next moment we see the gift of God appear in Exodus is when the people are leaving Egypt. Exodus 12:36, “... and the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians.” The word favor could also be translated grace. According to the Targoum, this grace given to the Israelites caused their adversaries to give them over and beyond what they asked for. The Egyptians see their slaves in a new light --- the light of God, a light given by God --- and as the Egyptians see them in this new way, they give the Israelites twice as much as they ask.[footnote:Pentateuch with Rachi: Exodus, p. 88; Ex. 12:36.] Israel does not escape from Egypt, they are released and even thrown out --- and yet there is no violence --- no war or battle. Yet, without violent means, Israel receives twice the goods they asked for from their former masters and enemies. Israel leaves Egypt in complete dignity, and their oppressors recognize the favor that comes to them from the Lord, and in a certain way the Egyptians pay homage by giving their wealth away freely to the children of Israel. God promises this in Exodus 3:21. And we see that before the last plague, grace is given abundantly to Moses, causing him to appear great among the people of Egypt.[footnote:Ex. 11:3.] This is quite shocking and miraculous for Moses to appear such before a nation plagued at his hands, Moses was in no way an object of terror or collective hatred. His face was, on the contrary, such that the people, even the king's servants, revered his extraordinary personality and recognized his wisdom, his loyalty, and the righteousness of his cause. Neither Pharaoh nor his subjects dreamed of laying a hand on him.[footnote:Voice of the Thora: Exodus, p. 104; Ex. 11:3.]