Did the first three plagues affect all of Egypt, including Goshen?
Question:
As I read Exodus 7-8, I noticed that in Exodus 8:22-23, God specifically said that He will make a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites that the swarming of the flies will not take place in Goshen. Since God made a point of saying that here, does that mean plagues 1-3, water turn into blood, frogs, and gnats also affected the land of Goshen and the Israelites before this fourth plague?
Answer:
"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. I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be" (Exodus 8:22-23).
Yes, it does imply that the earlier plagues covered all of Egypt, including Goshen. Separating Goshen not only spared the Israelites, but it also was another indication of God's power since there was no natural boundary between Goshen and the rest of Egypt.
