How does Exodus 9:26 demonstrate God's protection over His people in Goshen? Setting the Scene Exodus 9 records the seventh plague on Egypt—devastating hail mixed with fire. Pharaoh’s defiance brings judgment on the land, yet verse 26 stands out: “Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was there no hail.” Literal History, Real Protection • The narrative is presented as factual history. • God distinguishes physically between Egyptians and Israelites, underscoring His sovereign control over weather, geography, and timing. • The miracle is not limited or partial; the hail literally stops at Goshen’s boundary. A Clear Line Between Judgment and Mercy • Protection is selective, not accidental. • Goshen serves as a visible boundary marker of covenant favor. • The contrast reveals God’s justice toward rebellion and His mercy toward obedience. Patterns Repeated in Exodus • Exodus 8:22 – “No swarms of flies will be found there.” • Exodus 10:23 – “Yet all the Israelites had light in their dwellings.” • These repeated “no-plague zones” reinforce the theme: God shields His own. Theological Principles • Covenant loyalty: God keeps promises made to Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). • Sovereign discrimination: He “makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel” (Exodus 11:7). • Testimony to the nations: Mercy toward Israel magnifies His Name in Egypt. Echoes Through the Rest of Scripture • Psalm 91:9-10 – “No evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent.” • Malachi 3:17 – “I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” • John 10:28 – “No one can snatch them out of My hand.” • 1 Peter 1:5 – Believers are “shielded by God’s power.” Foreshadowing in Christ • Just as Goshen lay under divine cover, believers find ultimate refuge in Christ’s atoning blood. • The Passover lamb (Exodus 12) soon follows, pointing to Jesus, whose sacrifice secures eternal protection from judgment. Living Under His Covering Today • Trust: Confidence grows when remembering God’s historic faithfulness. • Obedience: Israel’s separation in Goshen anticipates the call to holy distinctiveness (2 Corinthians 6:17). • Witness: Visible preservation turns hearts toward the living God, just as Egypt witnessed His power. |
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