Why did God set apart Goshen before the fourth plague?
God set apart Goshen before the fourth plague to make a clear division between His people and Pharaoh's people. The first three plagues affected Goshen, but from the fourth onward, no swarms of flies would enter Goshen, so all would know the Lord was in the midst of the earth.
Les teaches that the first three plagues fell on Goshen, where Israel dwelt, as well as the rest of Egypt. Just before the fourth plague, God said in Exodus 8:22 that He would sever, separate, or set apart the land of Goshen, so no swarms of flies would be there. The stated purpose was 'that thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.' Verse 23 repeats that God would put a division between His people and Pharaoh's people. Les explains this was the beginning of God totally mandating that the nation of Israel be separated from all the other nations of the world, 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.
More Questions
Why did God keep the swarms of flies out of Goshen?
God's stated purpose for separating Goshen from the flies was so that Pharaoh would know that He is the Lord in the midst of the earth.
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.