Why did God separate Goshen and keep the flies from it during the fourth plague?
Before the fourth plague, God severed Goshen so no swarms of flies would be there, to make known that He is the Lord in the midst of the earth. He put a division between His people and Pharaoh's people, beginning Israel's separation from all other nations.
Les explains that Exodus 8:22-23 records God's words just before the fourth plague: He would sever, separate, or set apart the land of Goshen where Israel dwelt, so no swarms of flies would be there, to the end that thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. The first three plagues had fallen on Goshen as well as the rest of Egypt, but now God put a division between His people and Pharaoh's people. Les says this was the beginning of God totally mandating that the nation of Israel be separated from all the other nations, and that separation 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
Why did God draw an invisible line around Goshen so that the flies would not come?
God's point in the fly plague was to show the Egyptians that he is the Lord in the midst of the earth by drawing an invisible line around Goshen that even the insects would not cross.
What did God say He would do to the land of Goshen in Exodus 8:22?
In Exodus 8:22, God said He would sever or separate the land of Goshen where His people dwell so that no swarms of flies would be there, so they would know He is the Lord in the midst of the earth.