A Distinct People

Exodus 8:23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be. (NKJV) (See also Exodus 11:7)

As most Bible students would acknowledge, the Old Testament is replete with types and shadows of the New Testament to come. Paul said that “All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV). This being so, what can we learn from the Scripture in Exodus 8:23 and the story of the Exodus? How does it apply to us today?

Clearly we see that God makes a distinction between His people and the devil’s people. (Most would agree that Pharaoh typifies the devil and Egypt the “world”) We are different from those who haven’t obeyed the gospel, in so many ways. We think differently, we talk differently and we live differently. At least we are supposed to.

If you read the story of the Exodus, you will see an amazing thing. A people who have become a nation of slaves are made free by their God. They are not only set free, they are Blessed materially as well. When they leave behind their former masters and the land of slavery they took with them most of it’s riches. They did nothing personally to bring about their deliverance and riches but obey the Word of the Lord (just as we do nothing but obey in faith).

Of course as you know, God opens a dry crossing for the Israelites and drowns the pursuing Egyptians. This Red Sea Crossing is said to be a type of Baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). This was a physical act of separating from Egypt and the slave’s way of life. It was a drowning of the former masters who held them captive and putting a barrier (the sea when God released the water) between them and that old life.

Likewise when we are baptized in the Name of Jesus, we too are separated from our old life and sins. Our sins are washed away and we are free from the hold sin had on us and the barrier of Jesus’ Blood is between us and sin. (The fact is, until you have died to your will through repentance, been buried in baptism in Jesus Name, and raised again to a new life through the in-filling of the Holy Spirit, you cannot be free from the hold of sin.)

When a believer acts upon his or her faith and obeys the gospel, they are immediately different. They are no longer an Egyptian slave but are an adopted child of God. A prince or princess. They are free from the slavery of their former life. This life of freedom is not a life free from strife and battle. It is a life free from the control of sin and the death that results.

We are a distinct people, the people of the Name. We look different, talk different, think different and live different. Different from Egypt (the world around us) and different from Pharaoh and his ways (the devil and his ways). God puts a distinction between His people and every one else. I sometimes wonder if we put the same distinction?

1 Peter 2:9 But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (NKJV)

We are God’s people. He purchased us with His blood. In fact some Bible versions translate the phrase “His own special people” as a purchased people (KJV uses “peculiar people). Because God purchased us, we are to proclaim His praises or be a witness to others who are still in the darkness. If people who know us can not tell any difference between themselves and us, why would they listen to us?

This Christian life is not a life of ease as some would teach. You must crucify the flesh resist the devil and submit to God’s Word. You must be willing to be different from the world around you (Egyptians). It’s much easier to live like your neighbors and thereby not stand out. It’s easier to go along to get along.

Personally I have made up my mind. Rather than be embarrassed by the distinction of being a child of the King, I choose to embrace it and be proud to of who I am through Him.