The Long Way Around

Exodus 13:17-22 (ESV)

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.


Explanation:

Have you ever been so close to someone that you feel they know you better than you know yourself? There are some clear indictors in our reading today that tell us that God knew His people better than they knew themselves. He knew their capabilities, their hearts, and what would be best for them. After freeing them from slavery in Egypt, God starts the process of leading His people to their next destination in life. With a protective Fatherly approach, He strategically leads them from one place to the next. I am sure at times the places made complete sense in the Israelites’ minds, and there were also times when I am sure they were very confused. We see this later when they do finally reach the Red Sea, and it looks as if there is no place else to go, that God has led them to their doom. However, He does a miracle and continues to lead them on their journey.

Ok, let me ask you a tough question…one I truly want you to wrestle with. Do you think God knows you better than you know yourself? If your answer is yes, which I assume is the case, with God being our very Creator, how would that impact your level of trust with Him? Say you are single, and He is leading you out of a broken relationship, a relationship that does not help you grow in Christ. Do you follow His lead and step away from that relationship? Say you are a married man, with too many hobbies to count. You know that hobbies in themselves are not bad, but your hobbies just so happen to be pulling you away from home. Away from quality time with your wife and kiddos. What if God says to give up those hobbies? Do you follow His lead? I could provide so many more examples, but I do not doubt that the Holy Spirit can and will speak directly to your situation, revealing to you the ways that God is leading you. Will you trust His leading? Will you follow Him where He is calling you, even if it does not make sense?


Application:

1. Describe a time that you have followed the leading of God. How did that experience go for you?

2. What can hinder you from following the leading of God (Holy Spirit)?

3.What can create an insecurity in you that keeps you from following Him, trusting Him?

4. What can help you overcome those insecurities, lack of trust, and the things that hinder you?


Prayer:

God, following You is no easy task for us. There are many things that wage war against our trust in You. We struggle to fully comprehend the destinations You are calling us to. We plead that You fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we can have a supernatural faith. One that says even when it does not seem clear, we love Your leading.