Exodus 9:1-7: a reflection

1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2For if you refuse to let them go, and hold them still, 3behold, the LORD’s hand is on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks with a very grievous pestilence. 4The LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt; and nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.”’” 5The LORD appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land.” 6The LORD did that thing on the next day; and all the livestock of Egypt died, but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died. 7Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not so much as one of the livestock of the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was stubborn, and he didn’t let the people go.

As the plagues come upon Egypt, a plague strikes the livestock; and God makes a distinction. The LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, he says; and so it happened. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but of the livestock of Israel, not one died. In the midst of the judgment falling on Egypt, God distinguished his own people, protecting their livestock while Egypt's perished. His care marked out his own even amid the surrounding trouble.

Notice that God made a distinction, protecting his own people in the midst of the trouble. The plague fell on Egypt; but God distinguished Israel, so that not one of their animals died. He did not remove his people from the land where the trouble was, but he distinguished and protected them within it. Even as judgment fell all around, God's own people were marked out by his particular care, kept safe in the midst of the surrounding trouble.

That God can distinguish and protect his own even in the midst of surrounding trouble is a comfort. We are not always removed from the troubles of a fallen world; we live in the midst of them, as Israel lived in the midst of Egypt. But God is able to distinguish his own, to mark them out with his particular care, keeping and protecting them even amid the trouble around them. When trouble falls all around you, and you live in the midst of a world where hardship abounds, do not think God cannot distinguish or protect his own; he made a distinction for Israel in Egypt, keeping their livestock safe amid the plague. God is able to mark out and care for his own even in the midst of surrounding trouble; trust his particular care for you, even where you cannot be removed from the trouble around you. He distinguishes his own; live in the assurance that, even amid the troubles of a fallen world, God can mark you out with his particular care, as he distinguished Israel in Egypt.

Lord, as the plagues came upon Egypt, a plague struck the livestock, and you made a distinction: all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but of Israel's, not one died. In the midst of the judgment falling on Egypt, you distinguished your own people, protecting them while Egypt's perished. Show me that you made a distinction, protecting your own in the midst of the trouble. You did not remove your people from the land where the trouble was, but distinguished and protected them within it. That you can distinguish and protect your own even in the midst of surrounding trouble is a comfort. I am not always removed from the troubles of a fallen world; I live in the midst of them, as Israel lived in the midst of Egypt. But you are able to distinguish your own, to mark them out with your particular care, keeping them even amid the trouble around them. When trouble falls all around me, and I live in the midst of a world where hardship abounds, keep me from thinking you cannot distinguish or protect your own; you made a distinction for Israel in Egypt. You are able to mark out and care for your own even in the midst of surrounding trouble; help me trust your particular care for me, Lord, even where I cannot be removed from the trouble around me. You distinguish your own; help me live in the assurance of your particular care.