The answer is: Jewels

Exo 3:21-22 / Exo 11:2-3 / Exo 12:35 - God had promised Abraham that when the Israelites left Egypt they would come out with great possessions.

As the Israelites prepared for their dramatic exit from Egypt, an intriguing yet poignant detail emerges: they borrowed—or rather, requested—jewels and other belongings from their neighbors, the Egyptians. The verses capture this as part of a divine promise, signaling that their liberation was not just a physical escape but laden with richness and significance.

Imagine walking up to your neighbors and asking for their gold, silver, and jewelry just before moving away. It might sound unusual today, but within the ancient Near Eastern culture, this was not only a practical move; it was steeped in a powerful narrative of justice and redemption. In a broader sense, this act represented a shift from servitude to dignity—the Israelites deserved to carry away tokens of their hard-fought freedom, reclaiming not only their identity but also a sense of rightful possession crafted through decades of labor.

Additionally, there's an echo of irony in this journey towards liberation. Though the Israelites left with jewels, the richer treasure was perhaps the faith, community, and transformative experiences gained through years of hardship. Likewise, this transition speaks volumes about divine timing and God's faithfulness to promises made to patriarchs like Abraham. Some suggest the contents of the Exodus narrative foreshadow future liberations, inviting us to reflect on all who seek freedom from bondage—spiritually, physically, or socially—that those empowered by hope may carry with them treasures while inspiring liberation tales throughout the ages.