Title: The Separation of God
Exodus 11 1-10
God's distinction
The rainy season is a lull. However, the rainy season is not over yet, so we cannot be relieved. The rainy season this year seems to have caused more damage to large cities than in previous years. From the standpoint of not being harmed, I received news from the scene of the victims through TV, etc. While thinking about how hard it must be for those who were harmed, on the other hand, a selfish thought coexisted that I was fortunate not to have been harmed. But there was also fear when it rained terribly.
Today, we would like to take a look at the site of Egypt where the ten plagues are taking place from the perspective of those who have not yet been affected by the rain in this rainy season. Because of verse 7. “… against the children of Israel, not one dog shall move its tongue, against man or beast, and you shall know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel...
In verse 7 we see God emphasizing the distinction between Egypt and Israel, foretelling the tenth plague on Egypt. What is the distinction between these two? The distinction is that Egypt meets the calamity of the death of the firstborn, but Israel does not face this calamity. It is a very blessed distinction for Israel. Living under the same sky, Egypt and Israel experience a huge difference. Egypt is in the shadow of death and Israel is in the light of life.
But the distinction between Egypt and Israel was not only in the tenth plague. This distinction existed throughout the ten plagues. Although the written Word, the Bible, did not always introduce this distinction, not one of the ten plagues struck Israel.
When the fourth plague, the Paris disaster, was foretold, God said this. “In that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people inhabit, so that there will be no flies in it, and it will be known in the land that I am the LORD. I will make a distinction between my people and your people, and tomorrow there will be this sign…” (8:22-23)
When the fifth plague, the death of livestock, was foretold, He said this. “The LORD will separate the cattle of Israel from the cattle of Egypt, and none of the children of Israel shall die...” (9:4).
During the seventh plague, the hail plague, the situation of Israel was as follows. “There was no hail in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were” (9:26).
What does the Bible introduce about Israel during the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 10th plagues? It is “God’s distinction”. It's not a fuzzy, vague distinction. It's a very accurate distinction. Israel and the land of Goshen inhabited by Israel are separated from Egypt and the plagues. This means that between Israel and Egypt there is a distinction between space and time.
Beloved, what do we realize here? When I explain the contents of Enlightenment to you from now on, you may get the impression that the contents overlap somewhat. However, even if they seem to overlap, please be aware that there is a distinct content of its own.
First, it separates God's people from Egypt's woe and death. When Egypt meets woe and death, Israel is set apart from this. It does not meet woe and death. No terrible things happen to the people God has set apart.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) “The Lord is your keeper. The LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun by day will not harm you, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all trouble, and he will guard your soul.” (Psalm 121:5-7) “Now, Jacob, the Lord who created you speaks. O Israel, says the one who made you. you are not afraid I have called you by name; you are mine. I will be with you as you pass through the waters. When you cross the river, the water will not sink you, and when you pass through the fire, it will not burn you, and it will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:1-2).
Now, may you believe and praise the God who separates you from the woes and death of Egypt. God will never bring the woe and death that He will bring upon Egypt on His people. This means that God's people are God's responsibility. Rather than entrusting God's people to anyone, God Himself rules, guides, and takes responsibility.
So, no matter what happens, do not panic and hope and expect God. Because if it happened to you in Egypt, it won't do you any harm.
Second, distinction is the sovereignty of God, not the sovereignty of man. It was God who made the distinction between Egypt and Israel. This means that it is God who can distinguish between Egypt and Israel.
Distinction means 'divide and divide'. Distinction is as dividing black and white, darkness and light, right and wrong, and evil and good. To understand this according to the meaning of duty, it is the distinction between the people of God and the people who do not belong to God. Or, it is the people chosen by God or the people not chosen by God.
As explained earlier, this is completely under the sovereignty of God. That is why disasters may come upon some, but not upon others, all under the sovereignty of God. It is not something that humans can control or control at will. Human life and death are all in the sovereignty of God. So we who believe in the sovereignty of God fear God with fear.
Now, if we believe in God's sovereignty, isn't there another fact that we are set apart from the plagues of Egypt? It is clear that what is set apart is grace. But this distinction is also tension. I said at the outset that we should think about those who have not yet suffered calamity and who have suffered calamity. Why? This is because disasters like this can come to me on the other hand. Distinction is the sovereignty of God. This sovereignty extends to anyone and any area.
Therefore, we should know that the word ‘set apart’ is a verb of gratitude and fear. That is why our lives must have spiritual tension and fear God. They say that it is fun to disrespect a burning house. But let's not forget that the fire can also go into our house. So be thankful that you are set apart. But don't forget your fears too.
Beloved, God loves you. So it sets you apart from the plagues of Egypt. Protect, protect, and take care of. But this distinction is also the fact that we should fear God with fear. Therefore, in front of the privilege of distinction, there must be an effort to live as a set apart person. It is worth remembering that the end of Samson, who was a set apart, was disastrous when he did not live as a set apart. Now, let's live well as separate people.