Not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. (Exodus 11:7)
Today’s verse is focused on the tenth and final plague that the Sovereign Lord brought against Pharaoh and the Egyptians just prior to the exodus of God’s people out of their bondage in Egypt: the death of all the firstborn sons. At midnight the Lord sent the angel of death throughout Egypt to strike down every firstborn son, but all of the sons of Israel were protected because of the blood of the lamb that was spread over the door frames of their homes. God said there would be loud wailing throughout Egypt – worse than there had ever been or ever will be again – but among the Israelites not a dog would bark. The power of our God is unmatched, controlling even the barking of the dogs to distinguish between the Israelites and the Egyptians.
The distinguishing power of God should be a source of cosmic comfort for us today. He knows who His people are and He knows how to protect them. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe loves His people so much that He will give them a sign pointing to His awesome power, even directing individual animals to do His bidding. With a power like that working for us, with us, and in us, what have we to fear? No matter what comes against us, far greater is the power that is available to us to rise above it.
God is on His throne, and He is ruling all things to accomplish His purposes in this world. He is in control of all things and all things serve Him (Psalm 119:91). Our God knows everything about the challenges we are facing, and He has given us everything we need to turn opposition into opportunities, problems into possibilities, and setbacks into successes. Truly, no weapon formed against us can prevail. Our God is an awesome, distinguishing-of-the-dogs God. May that truth set us free to follow Him wherever He leads.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 