Exodus 11:1-10: a reflection

1The LORD said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people. 4Moses said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt, 5and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock. 6There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more. 7But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. 8All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9The LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.

As God announces the final and most terrible plague on Egypt, he makes a striking promise about his own people: But against any of the children of Israel a dog won't even bark, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. Amid the judgment falling on Egypt, God would make a distinction, protecting his own people so completely that not even a dog would bark against them. God distinguished between those who were his and those who were not, sheltering his own in the midst of the judgment around them.

Notice that God made a distinction, protecting his own in the midst of judgment. As the judgment fell on Egypt, God did not treat his people the same; he made a distinction, sheltering them, so that the judgment falling around them did not touch them, so completely that not even a dog would bark against them. God knew his own, and distinguished them, protecting them in the midst of the surrounding judgment. His people were sheltered, marked out as his, kept safe while judgment fell around them. God made a distinction between his own and the rest.

That is a comfort, for God knows and distinguishes his own, protecting them even amid surrounding judgment and trouble. We can fear being swept up indiscriminately in the troubles and judgments that fall around us, as though God did not distinguish his own; but God made a distinction for Israel, sheltering his people in the midst of the judgment on Egypt. God knows those who are his, and distinguishes them; he does not treat his own the same as the rest. When judgment or trouble falls around you, do not fear that you are indiscriminately swept up in it, as though God did not know his own; God distinguishes and shelters his people, as he distinguished Israel in the midst of the judgment on Egypt. Trust the God who knows his own and makes a distinction, sheltering his people even amid surrounding judgment, so completely that not even a dog would bark against them; God knows those who are his, and keeps them in the midst of what falls around them.

Lord, as you announce the final and most terrible plague on Egypt, you make a striking promise about your own people: but against any of the children of Israel a dog won't even bark, against man or animal, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. Amid the judgment falling on Egypt, you would make a distinction, protecting your own people so completely that not even a dog would bark against them. You distinguished between those who were yours and those who were not. Show me that you made a distinction, protecting your own in the midst of judgment. As the judgment fell on Egypt, you did not treat your people the same; you made a distinction, sheltering them, so that the judgment falling around them did not touch them. You knew your own, and distinguished them. Your people were marked out as yours, kept safe while judgment fell around them. Give me the comfort of that, for you know and distinguish your own, protecting them even amid surrounding judgment and trouble. I can fear being swept up indiscriminately in the troubles that fall around me, as though you did not distinguish your own; but you made a distinction for Israel. You know those who are yours. When judgment or trouble falls around me, keep me from fearing that I am indiscriminately swept up in it, as though you did not know your own; you distinguish and shelter your people, Lord. Help me trust the God who knows his own and makes a distinction, sheltering his people even amid surrounding judgment.