Meditation

Meditation: Exodus 8 & 9 (3 of 4)

A Berean

Reading: Exodus 8:20-24; 9:22-26.

While the Egyptians suffer from the plagues, there is another miracle: the Israelites, who live not far away in Goshen, are spared, as Moses records several times. In Exodus 8:22-23 God commands Moses to tell Pharaoh  “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.”

When the Lord announces “a very severe pestilence” over Egypt’s livestock, Moses adds “And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.” (Ex 9:3, 4).

Disastrous hail strikes man and beast, every herb and tree of the field. “Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail” (Ex 9:26). When God sends deep darkness over Egypt, all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (Ex 10:23).

By a great display of power God spares His own people, treating them with fatherly kindness. It must have made an unforgettable impression on the Israelites. For many years they were slaves of the Egyptians. But now, without lifting a finger themselves, they see the Egyptians being punished, while they themselves are saved in a most miraculous way. What a great encouragement for the people of God. God is faithful to His covenant promises; He does set his church apart; He does protect and bless it.

Today God continues to make a difference between His people and those who reject Him. He punishes stubborn unbelievers with slavery to sin and the tyranny of Satan. But, thanks to the suffering of Jesus Christ, he sets His children free from that tyranny. We share in that freedom. Let’s be very thankful to God for making a difference.

Key text: Ex 8:22-23 “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.”

Question: The Lord says “I will make a difference between My people and your people.” Today God makes a difference between believers and unbelievers. Why is that a blessing for you?