We are in chapter nine of Exodus with our word for today. פָּלָה be separated, distinct, treat specially, treat excellently, make a distinction. It is used 5 times in the Old Testament. The context of the plagues against Egypt where God distinguishes between his people and Egypt our word is used 3 out of the 5 times it is used in the Old Testament. Exodus 8:22 “‘But on that day I will וְהִפְלֵיתִי֩ deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a פְדֻ֔ת distinction between my people and your people. This sign will occur tomorrow.’” [We’ve looked at this word פְדֻ֔ת redemption already, which is interesting choice of word in that God is buying back or showing how valuable his people really are by making this distinction treating them differently or excellently which is what our word means. So we see the overlapping of these words]. Exodus 11:6-7 There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord יַפְלֶ֣ה makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 9:4-7 But the Lord will make a וְהִפְלָ֣ה distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing of all that belongs to the people of Israel shall die.”’” And the Lord set a time, saying, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this thing in the land.” And the next day the Lord did this thing. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one of the livestock of the people of Israel died. And Pharaoh sent, and behold, not one of the livestock of Israel was dead. Notice that the fact that not one of the livestock of God’s people died is repeated three times. This is contrasted with the Egyptian livestock that all died. This is quite a distinction. God definitely dealt differently between the two groups. This concept of being set apart as belonging to God is seen throughout the Bible using other words besides our word for today. The benefit of being in the God’s group in our chapter is very obvious it is the difference between life and death. We find our word used in this Psalm to point out another benefit of God hearing our prayers. Psalm 4:3 But know that the Lord has הִפְלָ֣ה set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
I will close with this amazing passage where Moses and God are talking about what distinguishes God’s people from all other people is the very presence of God with his people. This also happens to be the fifth use of our word in the Old Testament. Exodus 33:16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will וְנִפְלֵ֙ינוּ֙ distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” This is one of the main roles of the Holy Spirit that God gives us to be with us forever through Jesus Christ work on the cross.
