Mensa Otabil - Apart and Different
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Exodus chapter 8, verses 22 to 23: «And in that day, I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. I will make a difference between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.»
This is a unique feature of the place; this is the first time this feature is introduced. The unique feature is that God is not going to generalize the effect of the plague. The previous plague was generalized, but this plague is not generalized; it is particularized. Some people will suffer from the plague, while others will not. At this point, God is setting the stage for the final plague, where He makes a clear distinction between His people and the oppressors. This is the introduction of the distinction.
Three things I want you to notice: first, «I will set apart.» The phrase «I will set apart» means to be separated from others in order to be given better or preferential treatment. This is the first time these Hebrew slaves will be given better treatment. For all this while that they’ve been in Egypt, they have received the worst treatment. So even if they are set apart, they are set apart for evil, but this time they are set apart because God is going to favor them and do something great for them. I believe that in every calamity, God knows how to set apart His people. God says not only will I set you apart, but I will make a difference.
Flies and other flying insects naturally have no limit as to where they go when they cover the land; they go everywhere, biting people. But God says, «I will differentiate.» This means there will be a divine intervention that limits the effect and scope to a particular area, to a particular group of people. Some will be spared, while others will not. In this plague, God separates the land of Goshen, where Israel lives. That land will not be affected, and not only will the land not be affected, but the people of Israel, the Hebrews, will not be affected either.
Why is God doing all these things? God says, «I’m doing these things so that they may know.» The Lord is using this as a sign to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians. This is not just a natural calamity affecting all of Israel. Now you know that there is a design for this; there is an intention for this. This did not just happen by accident. There are people who are affected and others who are not, lines that are affected and lines that are not. God is able to do that.
There are times when we all suffer what everyone else suffers, but there are also times when God sets apart His people and makes a difference so the world may know that the Lord is with His people. I pray that God will set you apart and differentiate between you and the world so that the world will know that you are a child of God. Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, set your people apart as a sign. Deliver us from the plagues that afflict our world. In Jesus' name, amen.