When and how did God first mandate the separation of Israel from all other nations?
God first mandated Israel's separation just before the fourth plague in Exodus 8:22–23. He declared He would sever the land of Goshen, where His people dwelt, and put a division between His people and Pharaoh's people, marking the beginning of Israel's total separation from all other nations.
Les explains that during the plagues, the first three plagues fell on Goshen where Israel dwelt, as well as on the rest of Egypt. But just before the fourth plague, God said in Exodus 8:22 that He would sever, separate, or set apart the land of Goshen in that day, so that no swarms of flies would be there, so they might know that He is the Lord in the midst of the earth. Then in verse 23 God repeated, "I will put a division between my people and thy people." Les says that was the beginning of God totally mandating that the nation of Israel would be separated from all the other nations of the world, and that division never left them.
And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
More Questions
What was the sign that God promised to divide Israel from Egypt?
God's sign of the division between Israel and Egypt was that the children of Israel would be set apart from the Egyptians on the next day.