Thus, the one true God, the God of unity, is also the God of separation. Here
are examples:
- God created the first humans and was with them in the Garden of Eden. Their harmony was shattered by human sin. God drove them out of the Garden and His angel prevented their return (Genesis 3:23-24).
- God accepted Abel’s sacrifice but rejected Cain’s sacrifice (Genesis 4:3-5). When Cain murdered his brother, God exiled Cain to become “a fugitive and a wanderer” (Genesis 4:14).
- God separated His faithful follower Noah from the rebellious world. God used water to destroy the wicked (Genesis 6:17). That same water lifted the ark with those inside it. In that sense, the water saved Noah and his family, which corresponds to baptism’s role today (1 Peter 3:20).
- God selected Abram (Abraham) and commanded him, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1).
- God sent plagues against the Egyptians, but not against their Israelite slaves. God said, “Thus I will put a division between My people and your people” (Exodus 8:23). God made “a distinction between Egypt and Israel” (Exodus 11:7).
- When God led His people to Canaan, the Promised Land, He instructed the Israelites not to mix with the Canaanites. God created a separation that prevented any treaty or intermarriage (Exodus 34:12; Deuteronomy 7:1-3; Joshua 23:7).