I was wondering why God cared about gold so much when he made it all and it was really man that has given gold value. I'm thinking that it could be as stated in previous comments about sacrifice. The Israelites loved gold so that's what God required as part of the covenant. But I also think maybe he uses things in our lives that we understand and in a way its his way of relating to us, or helping us relate to him. I know I can use as much relating as possible to keep God in my life as a living presence and not a vague idea.

Gold Rush... funny I had not heard of that show until today I had a friend visiting from out of town who watches it and so we watched an episode just hours ago. I was struck by the amount of effort they went through building walls, extracting giant machines from the mud, digging though mountains of dirt, to have a small little pile of gold dust at the end. That's about what our own efforts amount to. How much easier is it for God to just make the Egyptians give them all that gold. God I accept the gift of freedom and life you've given us.