Exodus 8:20-9:7

“And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land.” (Exodus 8:22, NKJV)

On the first day of creation, God separated light from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5). Since then, God separates the children of light from the children of darkness. He calls us out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). This requires a distinction to be made. With the fourth plague we see God beginning to make a distinction between the Hebrews and the Egyptians.

The plague of flies (or dung beetles) would come upon the Egyptians but not upon the Hebrews. God would set apart the land of Goshen so that they would not suffer. By this distinction, everyone would know that the LORD was in the land.

Today God calls us out of the darkness of this world to be children of light.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:17–18, NLT)

Part of the reason for this separation is so that we will be holy as God is holy. Additionally, when the world sees that we are different, they will know that God is among us.

However, just as Pharaoh sought to keep the Hebrews in the land, so the devil seeks to keep the church worldly. He seeks to blur the lines of separation so that we are indistinguishable from the world. This compromise has weakened the church and damaged our witness.

Jesus didn't pray that the Father would take us out of the world, but that He would keep us from the evil one (John 17:15). Are there areas where we have compromised with evil? Are there filthy things we have touched from which we must turn away? May God help us to separate from the works of darkness and live as children of light.