Separated in Goshen

Text

Exodus 8:20–24 (NKJV)

20 And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 21 Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 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. 23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ” 24 And the Lord did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies.

Separated in Goshen

Goshen

Mentioned Twice in Exodus

Our text, Exodus 8:22 - The Fourth Plague: Flies

Exodus 9:26 - The Seventh Plague: Hail

Exodus 9:22–26 NKJV

22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” 23 And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

This land was the land, you might recall, that Joseph took his father and brothers to live once they had all reunited.

What we know about it is that it was a fruitful and plenteous land. Great pastures. Perfect for people who want to see great results.

Goshen and Egypt: A Stark Contrast

Egypt, on the other hand, is found to be symbolic of things that are not of God.

Egypt (outside of Goshen): sin, evil, corruption, chaos

Goshen: committed, blessed, protected, fruitful

And when it came time for God to afflict Egypt, that Pharaoh would let His people go, the things that plagued Egypt, did not plague the people who lived in Goshen - God’s people. (hail + flies)

As a matter of fact, we find that there is this clear distinction between Moses’ people and Pharaoh’s people, not just in the two plagues that I’ve read from today, but overall, in the fourth, fifth, seventh, ninth, and tenth plagues. You clearly read that God was giving some preferential treatment to His people.

Listen to me now: there was a clear line, a stark contrast, in who they were and how they were blessed for it.

For the first couple of plagues, there might have been a few Egyptians who were thinking, “Well, the water became blood and we’ve got these frogs everywhere. And even though these slaves aren’t having the same problems we are… it’s probably just that we’ve fallen on some hard times. Chance and fate is not on our side lately.”

The first couple of plagues. But after a while and several plagues of seeing this clear line between them and the people in Goshen, it became obvious that God was trying to illustrate something to them.

“Why is it that when our crops are eaten up that their’s are the finest we’ve ever seen?! Why is it that when our cattle fall down dead that their’s are fattened and healthy?!”

God was trying to show the blessing that comes from being committed and separated to Him, compared to living in Egypt, where man and sin are glorified and adored.

There… is… a… reason… that scripture reads, “Come out from among them and be you separate, saith the Lord!”

And God says in our text:

Exodus 8:22–23 NKJV

22 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. 23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ”

There must be a stark contrast in order for the lost to be compelled to cross over!

In order for somebody to realize that they need to be living a better life, there has got to be a better life being lived that they can see!

If anyone’s mind is going to be turned away from Egypt, there must be a land of Goshen that in the time of chaos and destruction, is still separate, still committed, and still thriving!!!

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE SEPARATE!

Separate

His Plan for Our Separation

Let me help you out today: His people are not meant to talk like, look like, act like everyone else in this world. You are MEANT to be different!

If Goshen was exactly like Egypt, no one would see the blessing of living in submission to God! And it’s for that reason… that the church cannot be identical to the world… because the lost won’t know where to turn to when they’re ready to give their life to God!

When the lost start feeling led to get their life turned around, it’s not more of the world that they go looking for. It’s a godly church that is set apart that they set out looking for! It’s a person that they’ve encountered that they know lives VERY DIFFERENTLY from every other person in the world! They want to go to THAT person’s church!

Let me say again: there must be a stark contrast in order for the lost to be compelled to cross over!

I see mainstream Christian music groups that are attempting to include Apostolic references in songs.

But having the power without the separation… it works against you!

Story: Sammy’s World Class Ribs

If you claim that you’ve got the real deal, but really it’s the power without the separation, it’s like somebody ordering world class ribs, only to receive a McRib patty!

I don’t just want the power - I want my life to be separated for His glory!!!

When God starts working on you, His plan from the start is to make you different!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ephesians 4:22–24 NKJV

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

God can transform your life! He can turn it around! {EXPOUND}

He’s not in the business of condemning - He’s in the business of transforming!!!

And for those of us who are here today that God has already turned our lives around - HE’S NOT DONE YET! HE WHO HAS STARTED A GREAT WORK IS WELL ABLE TO FINISH IT!

I’ve still got changes that need made in my life! God’s still working on me! He’s making me better!

Goshen Blessing

But what I want to point out today is the blessing that comes with being separated in Goshen...

What I read is that their livestock, their family, their overall lives were blessed and protected in Goshen.

When I step out my front door, when I pick up the news and read, I don’t find a world that appears to be blessed and protected. As a matter of fact, I find a world that is scared and in turmoil! I’m seeing Egypt.

But the more I look around here, I realize that I am LIVING IN GOSHEN!

God is at work!

People are growing!

Work is being done!

Bible studies are being had!

My family is being blessed by God!

The more I make the decision that I’m going to be more separated to Him, the more God blesses me for it!

People see separation as all about leaving behind a bunch of things in life. Taking away the things that humanity finds fun. But let me tell you - separation doesn’t just take away - it adds some things to your life!

Authority (in the Spirit)

Provision (for your family)

Peace (in your spiritual state)

Oh, you need to get some deeper roots in Goshen this morning!

Let me speak something over you… I feel this from God today: He is about to pour out untold blessing on some people who have committed themselves to Him in deeper ways! You are going to see the blessing of Goshen over your household, because you have decided to separate yourself!

Conclusion

You need to put down some roots in Goshen today!

More committed, more faithful, more involved, more passionate about your God!