Well, I've entitled the next section in Exodus, chapter 11, verses 4-9, “Sovereignty and Dogs.” In the verses that follow, God lays out to Moses the horror of the final plague, the severity of his judgment against Egypt, and the final redemption of his people from their four-hundred years of slavery.
So Moses said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. But 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.’ And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
Now, you wouldn't think that this announcement of the judgment against Egypt and the freeing of the slaves of Israel would mention dogs, but it does, and for a very significant reason. That's why, when you read these passages, read for detail. Ask yourself, “Why are dogs mentioned?” It seems like a needless sort of historical detail, “By the way, dogs won't be barking.” But verse 7 makes something very clear. This detail is needed; it's needed for the Israelites, and it's needed for us. “But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast.” Now what you have been following is grammatically, a purpose clause, “that (for the purpose that) you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.” God is in such complete control of this epic moment of judgment and freedom, that he even has control over the mouths of dogs; their mouths will be silenced by the power of God. But there's a reason for this and why God is saying this will happen, “That you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.” God knows who is his and who is not. He has an eye on every last Israelite servant; he has numbered each one of his people. Every one of them is dear to him; every one of them will be rescued by his power. None of them will be lost! And in the violence and death of this moment, God knows exactly who is his and who is not.
I couldn't read this without thinking about the words of Jesus to his followers, John 10:27–30:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never ever perish, and no one will (can) snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the father are one.
You see, that same distinction that God made between the Israelites and the Egyptians is made in our day between his chosen children and the world of unbelievers. God never loses sight of any one of his children. He has numbered his children. They know his voice, and they follow him and no one can snatch them out of his hand. We are safe in the care of the Lord, and Jesus bore our judgment so that we will never face that judgment. We are his forever!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. Why do you think small details in the Bible can carry such deep theological impact? Other than the passage we just covered, can you think of a small detail in Scripture that has large implications?
2. What is your initial response to hearing that God knows exactly who is his and who is not? How can this truth provide you with enormous comfort instead of confusion?
3. Why is it so crucial to understand that no one will or can snatch you out of the Father’s loving hand? Why will God never ever lose sight of you? How can we know this to be true and not just hope for it to be true?
For Younger Children:
1. Does God ever make mistakes? How does God’s perfect work that we read about in the Bible help us to trust him and his perfect work in our lives right now?
2. What do you think it means to be one of God’s chosen people? How does being chosen by God help to make you joyful and thankful?
3. Why don’t we need to worry or wonder about whether God will remember us and care for us? Why will God never ever lose sight of you?
For Older Children:
1. If God is perfect and never makes mistakes, why do you think there are so many seemingly “unnecessary” details written down in Scripture? How can those little details in the Bible point us to incredibly important truths?
2. If a Christian is someone who is chosen by God, how should that person feel knowing that God chose them on purpose? Why is it so important to understand that no one will or can snatch you out of the Father’s loving hand? Why will God never ever lose sight of you?
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