17 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.” 18 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. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph [1] 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.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 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. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
This passage is an event when Israel as a nation goes out from Egypt. Verse 17 said that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; But God led them around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. It is not just God led them through the long journey; He actually led them through the hard path of journey. We can imagine that the life in the wilderness is a hard life: drought, famine, and disease are some of the problems that people may face. It would have been easy for the Israelites to think that the way through the land of Philistine was the way to go; it had good, easy roads, the shortest distance, it was a trade route so food and water could be bought. But the dangers of the way were too great, even though they could not see them. It is mentioned in verse 17 that God did not led them through that way is because of the "dangers" that they may face which is "when they see war". When they face such problem which is more that they could bear, they perhaps will change their minds and return to Egypt.
The same is true of our walk with God; a way that seems right to us may turn out to be full of danger we can't even think of. This does not mean that we should look or find difficulty in our lives. Isaiah 55:8-9 teach us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways; for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts than out thoughts. Even when we face a very difficult moments in our life, He is the one that order and provides. He is the one our helper and our strength. He is full of wisdom, and He teaches us according to what He deems best. For in Israel's case here, He knows that Israel was not ready yet to face such war, and He did not allow them to face that. If He knows and cares about Israel, then He knows what we can handle too! 1 Corinthians 10:13 also speaks that God will not let temptation that would go beyond our ability: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Interestingly in verse 18, we see when God led them around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea; the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks. The children of Israel prepare themselves to face danger that they may face in the journey. Didn't God lead Israel around so that they won't face war? And here we see Israel be prepared for such danger (which it won't put much danger if we say that they prepare for a war). This is noted to teach us that God preserves us, while we persevere. There is an aspect of God's sovereignty, but there is also Human's responsibility. We must do our best for Him, but whatever the result is we have to humble ourselves before Him. Disappointment and desperation shows that we actually rely on ourselves. Those shows we have self-confidence and not confidence in God. We are disappointed because we have put lots of effort with our might, and when we see the result is not what we expect, we take that moment as our failure.
The bible then noted in verse 19 about the bones of Joseph, which Moses took it along the way. The bible note this moment, to show how faithful is our God. Let us refer back to Genesis 50:22-26: Joseph before he died, he told his brother, that God will surely visit them to the promised land, and therefore Joseph wants his bone to be carry up to the promised land. He knows that Egypt is not their home, because His God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a faithful God. Here we see Joseph’s faith. He has faith to a faithful God. And now in this verse we see that our God is a faithful God, He cares for Israel, He leads Israel out from Egypt to the Canaan. He assures them in verse 20-22 by giving His presence all day (day and night) to protect and lead Israel.
We have to obey God, when we say we love Him. Exodus 13:8-10 says about this, and the reason is because of what God has done for us: we obey Him, because He has done great things. And now, God’s presence is shown along the journey, this so that they might travel day and night. God shows His presence by the pillar of cloud and fire, so that Israel could see with their own eyes, that God is with them, and God alone lead them and protect them. Israel supposed to remember that God is there. Again God cares for Israel, and He wants them to experience His guidance. Do we experience His guidance along our path way of life? Do we walk with Him? Isn’t it beautiful and marvellous that our God is not just a majestic God, who is above all the ruler of the earth, but He is also a personal God. Are we grateful? Do we show our gratitude in our lives?
Last thing before I finish this: we often think such miraculous assurance would make us never doubt Him. But look! Later on Israel did doubt Him. Can we imagine that Israel as a nation has experience His presence literally but then later on doubt Him. This is also a warning to us, so that we can always be prepared in all things, for the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Let this warns us, pray to Him so that we can always be on alert each moment. Let His steadfast love leads us and teach us each moment.
Soli Deo Gloria
~ Paul Hartono
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