Exodus 8:16-24: a reflection

16The LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’” 17They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18The magicians tried with their enchantments to produce lice, but they couldn’t. There were lice on man, and on animal. 19Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is God’s finger;” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as the LORD had spoken. 20The LORD said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes out to the water; and tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground they are on. 22I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, to the end you may know that I am the LORD on the earth. 23I will put a division between my people and your people. This sign shall happen by tomorrow.”’” 24The LORD did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses. In all the land of Egypt the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies.

As the plagues fall on Egypt, God announces something about the plague of flies that reveals his care for his people. I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there. I will put a division between my people and your people. While the plague ravaged the rest of Egypt, the land where God's people lived would be spared; God would make a distinction between his own and the world around them.

Notice the distinction God makes: he sets apart his people, marking a division between them and the world, even in the midst of judgment falling all around. The flies filled Egypt, but not Goshen; God knew where his people were, and he protected them. He did not treat his own as he treated the world; he made a division, sparing those who were his. God knows his own, and distinguishes them, even when trouble is general.

That is a comfort for those who belong to God. We live in a world where trouble falls, often on the just and the unjust alike; but God knows his own, and he is able to make a distinction, to set apart and protect his people, even in the midst of what afflicts the world. This does not mean God's people never suffer, but it means we are known and marked as his, under his particular care, distinguished by him even when trouble is general. Take comfort that you are not lost in the crowd of the world, unnoticed. God knows where his people are, sets them apart, and watches over them with a care he gives to his own. You are marked as his, under his distinguishing care.

Lord, in the plague of flies you set apart the land of Goshen where your people lived, making a division between your own and the world, sparing them even as judgment fell all around. Comfort me with that care. I live in a world where trouble falls, often on the just and the unjust alike; but you know your own, and you are able to make a distinction, to set apart and protect your people. I know this does not mean your people never suffer, but that we are known and marked as yours, under your particular care, distinguished by you even when trouble is general. Help me take comfort that I am not lost in the crowd of the world, unnoticed. You know where your people are, set them apart, and watch over them with a care you give to your own. Thank you that I am marked as yours, under your distinguishing care; help me rest in it.