God set apart Goshen to prove He is 'the LORD in the midst of the earth' and to put a division between Israel and Egypt.
In Exodus 8:22-23, God announced that no swarms of flies would be in Goshen where His people dwelt, while Egypt would suffer. Les Feldick notes that the first three plagues affected Israel and Egypt alike, and the separation beginning with the fourth plague was the start of God setting Israel apart as His covenant nation.
Exodus 8:22-23 — These verses are God's own words explaining why He would separate Goshen during the plague of flies.
God's own declaration in Exodus 8:22-23 explains the setting apart of Goshen. Before the fourth plague fell, God said He would sever—separate or set apart—the land of Goshen in which His people dwelt, so that no swarms of flies would be there. He called this a sign, telling Pharaoh, 'to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.' He also said, 'I will put a division between my people and thy people.' These verses make clear that the separation was God's own work and was meant to reveal His identity and His distinction between Israel and Egypt.
Les points out that the first three plagues struck both Israel and Egypt; Goshen was not yet exempt. At the fourth plague, the flies, God announced a change: He would put a division and no flies would be in Goshen. Les calls this 'the beginning then of God totally mandating that the nation of Israel would be separated from all the other nations of the world.' He also stresses that God did this 'to prove My power, and to prove My dealing with My covenant people.' Additionally, Les notes that all the plagues were directed against the gods of Egypt, showing that pagan worship had no power compared to God.
Les Feldick teaches that the first three plagues fell on Goshen, where Israel lived, as well as the rest of Egypt. It was only when the fourth plague—the flies—was about to fall that God announced a separation: 'I will sever in that day the land of Goshen... that no swarms of flies shall be there' (Exodus 8:22). The change marked a new phase in which God would make a clear distinction between His people and Egypt.
God told Pharaoh the purpose was 'to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.' Les emphasizes that this division proved God's power and His special dealing with His covenant people. From that point onward, Les says, God totally mandated that Israel would be separated from all other nations, and that separation never left them.
Les points out that every plague was directed against one of the gods of Egypt. God demonstrated that the pagan worship the Egyptians trusted had nothing to do with Him and that He could destroy Egypt at will. The protection of Goshen was part of that demonstration: God controlled both the plagues and the boundaries of their reach.
Les notes that the final plague, the death of the firstborn, was the worst and struck every household in Egypt. Israel had an out, but it depended on their faith: applying the blood of the Passover lamb to the doorposts and staying within the home. This continued the pattern of God providing a way for Israel while judgment fell on Egypt.
God vs. Satan's Magicians: Why Aaron's Rod Swallowed Theirs
that choice of believing the gospel and they reject it, it becomes that much harder for them at some future time to break down those barriers of resistance. And so it was with Pharaoh. Every time that Pharaoh would reject the offer to let Israel go, it was that much harder for him to say, let them go, and it was that much easier for him to say, I'll not let them go.
God Separates Goshen
Les shows from Exodus 8:22-23 that at the fourth plague God set apart Goshen from the rest of Egypt so Pharaoh would know He was the LORD in the midst of the earth.
First Three Plagues Affected Israel
Les explains that the first three plagues fell on Goshen as well as Egypt; the fourth plague was when separation began.
Division Proves God's Power and Covenant
Les says God put a division at the flies to prove His power and His dealing with Israel as His covenant people.
Plagues Directed Against Egypt's Gods
Les teaches that each plague was directed against one of Egypt's gods, proving pagan worship had no power over God.
Why Did God Hate Esau? Romans 9:13 and Sovereignty Explained
Well you see, after the plagues that had stricken Egypt, even though it was the ancient world and they didn't have communication as speedy as ours, did the Word get across the then known world, what had happened in Egypt? Absolutely! Even the Canaanites, clear up there in present day Palestine, by the time the Jews got there, they knew what had happened down in Egypt, and they knew that the God of…
Why God Separated Israel: The Meaning of the Blood on the Doorposts
I said chapter 12, I think, but let's go back for just a moment to chapter 10, because the last time we were together, we had more or less gotten to the place where Pharaoh was obstinately refusing to let the children of Israel go, and God would bring in a plague.
Passover and the Final Plague
Les notes that after God put a division, Israel still needed faith in the Passover blood to survive the final and worst plague.
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 explicitly states God's promise to set apart Goshen during the plague of flies.
Exodus 8:23: And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
This verse describes the sign that would show God's division between Israel and Egypt.
No. Les Feldick says the first three plagues fell on Egypt and on Goshen where Israel dwelt. Beginning with the fourth plague, the flies, God separated Goshen and protected Israel from the remaining plagues, though even then the Passover applied to the final plague by faith.
God told Pharaoh, 'I will put a division between my people and thy people.' Les explains this was the beginning of God totally mandating that Israel be separated from all other nations.
God called it 'the land of Goshen in which my people dwell.' It was where His covenant people lived, and the separation demonstrated His power and His special relationship to Israel.
Watch the Teaching: God vs. Satan's Magicians: Why Aaron's Rod Swallowed Theirs