Exodus 13

I started writing this because I am at a point in my life where I feel like I am wandering in the desert, and never quite getting to the promised land.  Something drastically changed in my life, and I need to break from the past and move toward the future God is calling me to.  But I feel stuck in the desert.  For this reason I decided to look again at the Israelites journey.  The book God Chasers talked about the pilgrimage being necessary for God to change the Israelites into a nation.  That fascinated me.  I wanted to look at the steps God took in their lives and see what application there could be to mine.  Maybe then I can fast forward the forty year journey and get to my promised land much quicker.

Chapter 13 says that when they first left Egypt God took them in a round about way rather than along the direct route. Taking the direct route would bring them into Philistine territory which could have caused a battle.  God knew the Israelites were not prepared for battle and would have run back to the familiar ways of slavery before pushing on.

It is not new to me that following God rarely takes us on the well traveled road.  I guess I've always thought of it as a way of testing our faith.  To follow him despite common sense.  To be willing to endure.  To strengthen us.  I never really imagined it as him saving us from something that might make us run.  However, when I think about the emotional state I've been in and out of for the past year or so, I must say that I'm sure that would be a useful strategy to get me through.  I am not the warrior chick that I wish I was.  I needed time to follow safely and not be crushed like a bug.  I'm grateful that he was looking ahead and guiding me as only he would know to do.