What other biblical instances show God distinguishing His people from others? Setting the Stage—Exodus 9:4 “But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.” Distinctions throughout the Plagues • Exodus 8:22–23 – “On that day I will set apart the land of Goshen… so that you will know that I, the LORD, am in the land.” • Exodus 10:23 – “Yet all the Israelites had light where they lived.” • Exodus 11:7 – “Not even a dog will bark at any man or animal belonging to the Israelites.” • Exodus 12:13 – Blood on the doorposts causes the destroyer to “pass over you.” • Exodus 12:29–30 – Egyptian firstborn die, Israel’s are preserved. Early Echoes in Genesis • Genesis 6:17–18; 7:1 – Noah distinguished from a corrupt world. • Genesis 19:12–16, 29 – Lot rescued before judgment on Sodom. • Genesis 45:7 – Joseph acknowledges God “sent me before you to preserve life.” Wilderness Wonders • Exodus 13:21–22 – Cloud and fire guide Israel, not Egypt. • Exodus 15:25–26 – Bitter waters sweetened for Israel. • Exodus 16:13–18 – Daily manna appears only where Israel camps. • Numbers 21:8–9 – Bronze serpent heals believing Israelites amid deadly serpents. Crossing into Canaan • Joshua 3:14–17 – Jordan River parts for Israel. • Joshua 5:1 – Canaanite kings lose courage “because the LORD dried up the Jordan.” • Joshua 6:24–25 – Rahab and family spared inside Jericho’s fall. Judges and Kings • Judges 7:7 – “With the three hundred men… I will save you,” Gideon’s remnant. • 1 Kings 17:14–16 – Flour and oil last for Elijah and the widow. • 2 Kings 19:32–35 – Angel strikes Assyrian camp; Jerusalem untouched. Preservation in Exile • Daniel 3:24–27 – Fiery furnace burns ropes, not the three Hebrews. • Daniel 6:22 – “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.” • Esther 9:1–2 – Jews gain mastery over would-be destroyers. Prophetic Pictures of Separation • Ezekiel 9:3–6 – A mark on the forehead spares the faithful. • Malachi 3:17–18 – “I will spare them as a man spares his son…” New Covenant Clarity • John 10:27–28 – “My sheep hear My voice… no one will snatch them out of My hand.” • Acts 12:6–11 – Angel leads Peter past guards; executioners powerless. • 2 Timothy 4:18 – “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed.” • 1 Thessalonians 1:10 – Jesus “rescues us from the coming wrath.” Future Fulfillment • 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 – Dead in Christ rise first; living believers caught up. • Revelation 3:10 – Kept “from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world.” • Revelation 7:3–4 – “Do not harm the earth… until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Takeaway—God’s Unbroken Thread of Protection From the flood to the final sealing, Scripture repeatedly shows God recognizing, marking, and preserving His own. Exodus 9:4 is one link in a powerful, unbroken chain demonstrating that the Lord knows those who are His and acts decisively on their behalf. |
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