by Shirley Rosemarie Evans
17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.
(Exodus 13:16-18, 20-22 NLT)
So, the children of Israel are finally on the move, but the passage tells us that God took them on a wilderness detour. Why? Because He knew that the shortest route would take them through the land of the Philistines and these people who had spent hundreds of years being the underdogs, just escaping from their captors would be far from impressed if they immediately had to deal with yet another enemy. They might have thought to themselves “Better the devil you know” and turned back to their old slave masters. So, God led His people another route.
But scripture tells us that God went ahead of them, He never left them. His presence was visible to all 24 hours of the day allowing His people to move forward by day or night. Can you imagine the comfort and reassurance that this would have given to the children of Israel? To know that Yahweh was leading them. He had not forgotten them during their exile He had delivered them just as He said He would and now He would lead them to a place of safety. Even though they must have become tired, and their feet must have been sore the presence of Yahweh would have been all the encouragement needed for weary feet to keep moving and for hope to spring afresh each day in their hearts. Can you imagine the joy and the gladness in the camp?
Have you ever been through a season in your life when you feel you are journeying into the unknown, the route is unfamiliar and the destination unclear, but you sense that God is with you, you are at rest and indeed you are experiencing daily the Joy of the Lord? Make the most of these seasons. Sometimes God takes us on a roundabout route because He knows that we are not yet ready for the next step. But don’t rush the process, you can trust the one who is your cloud by day and your fire by night. He’s got this and He has you. You can trust Him!
Ask - What was God trying to teach the children of Israel by being a constant visible presence leading them out of Egypt?
Seek - Are there areas in your life today where you are struggling to allow God to lead you?
Knock - What things are you going to surrender afresh to God’s leadership?
(Photo by Szabó Viktor from Pexels)
