God demonstrated Israel's separation by drawing a literal division between Goshen and Egypt during the fourth plague, and by repeatedly calling Israel a set-apart, holy nation throughout the Old Testament.
In Exodus 8, God declared that swarms of flies would not enter Goshen, the land where Israel dwelt, while the rest of Egypt suffered. This visible division showed that God was the LORD in the midst of the earth and that He had set His covenant people apart. From that point onward, Israel was continually reminded that they were different, a sanctified nation, and when they lost that distinct character, they faced judgment.
Exodus 8:22-23 — This passage records God's direct statement that He would sever the land of Goshen and put a division between His people and Egypt.
In Exodus 8, God sent a plague of flies upon Egypt. In verses 22-23, God declares, "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: tomorrow shall this sign be." This was the first time God made such a distinction, as the earlier plagues affected both Israelites and Egyptians alike. Later, in Exodus 19, God tells Israel, "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19:6). This builds on the concept of separation, designating Israel as uniquely His. Deuteronomy 7:6 also reinforces this: "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth."
Les Feldick emphasizes that God's separation of Israel was a literal, physical demonstration beginning with the fourth plague in Egypt. He points out that the first three plagues struck both Israelites and Egyptians, but starting with the flies, God drew an invisible line around Goshen that even insects would not cross. This was to show the Egyptians that God was the LORD in the midst of the earth and that He had made a division between His people and Egypt. Les also teaches that this separation was not just a one-time event but a continual theme throughout Israel's history. God drummed into Israel the message that they were different, set apart, and holy. When Israel lost that distinct character, such as in the incident with Balaam and Balak, judgment followed. Les notes that even in Paul's day, this sense of separation carried over, making it difficult for Jewish believers to accept Gentiles without distinction, as seen in Acts 10 and Romans 10.
The division at the fourth plague demonstrated God's power and His special relationship with Israel. Up to that point, both Israelites and Egyptians suffered the same plagues. But before the plague of flies, God declared through Moses that He would sever the land of Goshen, where Israel lived, so that no flies would be there. This was to prove that God was dealing with His covenant people and that He was present in the earth. It marked the first clear sign of separation between Israel and the other nations.
God continually reminded Israel that they were a chosen, holy nation. In Exodus 19, God said Israel would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Deuteronomy 7 also says they were chosen to be a special people above all nations. Les Feldick emphasizes that this separation was meant to prepare Israel for its role, but when they failed to fulfill it, they lost their position and were dispersed. The separation continued as long as Israel retained knowledge of God and His Word, but when they abandoned their distinct character through idolatry or unbelief, judgment followed.
Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10
to a house of a Roman army officer and all his relatives and his friends. And as we showed then in the last program, first Peter said he had never eaten anything that was common or unclean because he was still a law-keeping Jew. And then when he got to the threshold of the house of Cornelius, I'm sure he was almost shaking in his boots. But knowing that God was forcing the issue, he went in.
God's Invisible Line Around Goshen
Les explains that God drew an invisible line around Goshen that even insects would not cross, so that Egypt would know He is the LORD, and that this was a division setting Israel apart from Egypt.
The First Three Plagues Common, Fourth Distinct
Les says that the first three plagues affected both Israel and Egypt, but at the fourth plague, God put a division between the two, proving His power and His dealing with His covenant people.
God's Word to Moses: 'I Will Sever'
Les highlights God's direct statement that He would sever the land of Goshen from the plagues, beginning with the flies, marking the first time such a separation occurred.
Why the Blood? The Bible's Answer to Forgiveness & Faith
God has been pouring out the plagues upon the Egyptians, the first few of course Israel experienced as well, and then God put a division where the Jews no longer experienced the plagues that fell on Egypt. The final one of course is going to be the worst one of all, and the one that really struck home to families and parents, was the death of the firstborn. You all know the background to that.
8 Privileges God Gave Only to Israel — Romans 9:4 Explained
The nation of Israel has been positioned as a unique set aside nation of people. No one can infringe on that. No one can invade that position that only the nation of Israel of all the people of the world enjoy. Let's go back and just check a couple of verses in the Old Testament, go back to Deuteronomy. Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.
What Happens to the 144,000 Jews in the Tribulation?
Exodus 19 says, and I will make of you a kingdom of priests, a holy nation. Put them under law, I maintain, to prepare them for that tremendous role, which would be theirs to carry out. But when the opportunity came, and they could have had the king and the kingdom, they could have brought all the nations of the world to a knowledge of their God, they dropped the ball.
Israel's Set-Apart Identity Into Paul's Day
Les notes that even in Paul's day, Israel had been pounded with the knowledge that they were set apart, which made it hard for them to accept Paul's message to the Gentiles.
Exodus 8:22: 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.
This verse directly shows God separating Goshen from Egypt for the plague.
Exodus 8:23: And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be.
This verse explicitly states the division between Israel and Egypt.
Exodus 19:6: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
This verse shows God's intention for Israel to be a holy, separated nation.
Deuteronomy 7:6: For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
This verse reinforces Israel's special, separated status among nations.
The first sign was the fourth plague, the plague of flies, when God declared He would sever the land of Goshen from the rest of Egypt. The flies would come upon the Egyptians but not upon the Israelites, showing a clear division.
Yes, according to Les Feldick, the first three plagues affected Israel and Egypt alike. It was only beginning with the fourth plague that God made a division between His people and the Egyptians.
God repeatedly called Israel a holy and chosen nation, as seen in Exodus 19 and Deuteronomy 7. He set them apart for His purposes, and they were to remain distinct from other nations.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10