Led by GOD

Led by GOD

Exodus 13: ¹⁷ Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.

 

¹⁹ And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.”

 

²⁰ So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. ²¹ And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. ²² He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

 

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After Pharaoh finally agreed to let the people go, GOD led them out in the wilderness. HE avoided the land of the Philistines and took the people through the wilderness. Joseph’s bones were taken with them. GOD appeared as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of cloud by night.

 

My Observations:

• GOD needed to lead the people away from danger so their hearts would not yearn for Egypt.
• Joseph never accepted the Egyptian ways and wanted his bones to be moved to disassociate himself fully from them for all times.
• GOD made sure the children of Israel could see HIM day and night.

 

It was important to GOD for the people to give up the Egyptian ways. For four hundred thirty years, a slavery mindset grew solidly within the children of Israel. They had no idea what freedom looked like. GOD led the people away from the place Abraham stopped off.

 

Abraham and Isaac stayed in the land of the Philistines for a while. This was a battle-driven group of people who could care less about GOD’s ways. Strangely, GOD led the people by way of the Red Sea. HE knew this was a dead end. GOD was also dealing with the mindset of HIS people who did not believe in HIS power. HE did all of this to keep HIS promise of providing a Savior. But the people did not know this.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about how HE went in front of the people to lead the way?
• Are you in a period of your life where all you have is questions for GOD?
• Is GOD preparing you for a tremendous blessing by taking you through the wilderness?