Exodus 9:5-8. Why Is There A Distinction Between Those Who Are His and Those Who Are Not?
Exodus 9:5-8. Why Is There A Distinction Between Those Who Are His and Those Who Are Not? 11-3-14
Exodus 9: 5-6, “The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.”
God made a distinction between the unholy and the holy, between those who are his own and those who or this world. Look at Exodus 9: 5-6, which read, “The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.” In this plague, all of the Egyptian livestock dies, but the cattle of the Hebrews were as secure as though there had been no plague at all. None of Israelites’ cattle were even sick. It was obvious on whom God’s favor rested and yet Pharaoh still refused to let the people go.
God still makes a distinction between the holy and the unholy. When Jesus comes again the wheat will be gathered, while the chaff gets burned away. This world and its entire works will be destroyed as completely as the beasts of Egypt. Everything in this world is perishing, spoiling and fading away, but the things of Christ and the children of God are being renewed day by day. They are bearing abundant fruit in this world and unto the next. On the Day of Judgment, they will pass through the judgment because of their relationship with Jesus Christ and dwell with the Lord forever in the Kingdom of God.
God also makes a distinction between the works of God born out love, devotion and faith in Christ and religious works born out of human effort and “No faith” for the glory of man. Paul talks about the distinction in 1 Corinthians 13:10-15, “10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” The person who tries to build up the church with human efforts will see his works disappear with no legacy or influence …no fruit…but they themselves will be saved to enter into eternal life for God is full of grace.
Why did God make the distinction? A clue is found in Exodus 9:5, “The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” And in verse 7, “Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died. Yet his heart was unyielding and he would not let the people go.” (NIV) God wanted the Pharaoh to repent of his sins, so that he and his nation may be saved. That is why God set a time. He was warning him of the upcoming judgment so that he could consider his ways, repent of his sins and be saved. But despite of God’s patient attempts to help him, Pharaoh did not respond well. He hardened his heart all the more, sealing his own condemnation. God tried his best to help Pharaoh.
The right way to turn became obvious right before the Pharaoh’s and all Egyptian’s eyes. God helps people to turn to him by making a distinction between God’s people and the people of the world. Why does God bless your lives and our nation so much? It is to help others to see the difference that faith in Jesus makes so they can know where to turn for answers, grace and salvation. It is part of God’s faithful efforts to help people to turn to Christ.
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