The Significance of Divine Provision and Human Action

This exploration delves into the relationship between divine provision and human action, particularly in the context of acquiring and utilizing resources. It examines how what is initially perceived as "unrighteousness" can be transformed into righteousness through dedication to a higher purpose, and how this principle was foreshadowed in historical events.

Redeeming Resources for Righteousness

The text highlights the idea of "redeeming, as it were, our property from strange hands" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This concept suggests that resources acquired through less-than-ideal means can be sanctified and repurposed for righteous ends. It doesn't necessarily imply condoning the initial acquisition but emphasizes the transformative power of subsequent action.

For whatsoever we acquired from unrighteousness when we were heathen, we are proved righteous, when we have become believers, by applying it to the Lord's advantage. (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

This is further illustrated by the advice to "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that they, when ye shall be put to flight, may receive you into eternal tabernacles" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). In essence, use worldly wealth, even if tainted, to benefit others and build lasting relationships, thereby securing a place in a higher realm.

The Tabernacle Analogy

The construction of the tabernacle using resources obtained from the Egyptians serves as a symbolic representation of this principle. The Israelites, in a sense, "spoiled" the Egyptians, taking their wealth as they departed. This wealth, initially associated with a people who "knew not God," was then used to create a sacred space dedicated to God's presence (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This act transformed the origin of the materials, imbuing them with a new spiritual significance.

The Exodus as a Precedent

The exodus from Egypt is presented not merely as a historical event but as a "type and image of the exodus of the Church which should take place from among the Gentiles" (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt). This broader perspective suggests that the pattern of liberation and transformation seen in the exodus repeats itself on a larger scale, with the Church emerging from the Gentile world. Just as the Israelites left Egypt with newfound wealth, the Church draws from the resources of the world, transforming them for divine purposes.

Applying the Principle

This principle can be applied to various aspects of life:

• Using skills developed in secular environments for ministry.
• Donating profits from business ventures to charitable causes.
• Transforming negative experiences into opportunities for growth and service.

Conclusion

The text underscores the potential for transforming the seemingly "unrighteous" into instruments of righteousness. By dedicating resources and talents to a higher purpose, individuals and communities can participate in a transformative process, mirroring the exodus from Egypt and building a metaphorical "tabernacle" where God dwells. This emphasizes not only the divine provision that makes such transformation possible but also the human responsibility to actively engage in the process of redemption.