“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.’” – Exodus 13:17 NKJV

I imagine the Israelites praying for God to quickly lead them away from their enemies to safety. Yet, He neither led them through the shortest way to their destination nor gave them a smooth journey.

Instead, they had to overcome obstacles and enemies along a longer route.

Why would God lead the Israelites on a longer path to the Promised Land? Is not the shortest and fastest way the best one?

The second part of the verse gives us a clue into what God was thinking: “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.”

God never wavered in His plan of leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. He was merely preparing His people for the battles that lay ahead.

God was thinking about the Israelites’ well-being and was working behind the scenes to protect them from harm, ensuring that they would be equipped to overcome the challenges they would face in the new territories. 

Even though the land of the Philistines was nearby and offered a shorter and faster route, God did not lead His people through it because they were not yet ready for the challenges.

Here are three key lessons we can learn from this verse.

1. God delivers

God knew that if the Israelites saw war too soon after being freed from slavery, they would become discouraged and want to return to slavery in Egypt. That would be far from His desire and plan for them.

He was bent on setting them free, and by leading them on a seemingly longer and arduous route, He was protecting them from making a poor decision to head back towards captivity.

His ways are not our ways; neither are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). They do not always follow human logic. God is our Deliverer who knows what is best for us, we can trust in His wisdom and leading.

2. God prepares

God knew that the Israelites needed to be prepared both physically and spiritually for the challenges that lay ahead.

They would not be shielded from wars, but the longer route gave them more time and opportunities to learn to lean on Him in the battles ahead.

God is constantly preparing us for the challenges we will face and looking out for opportunities to build us up. He promises us His presence, power and peace. And He is always at work to prevent us from being tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Trust in His plan, for it will ultimately lead to blessings that He has intended for us. 

3. God blesses

God’s desire was for the Israelites to inherit the Promised Land. This was fulfilled as the subsequent generations entered and reached the destination under Joshua’s leadership.

God’s plans for us are ultimately for our good. Even if we do not understand His ways at times, and may feel that the terrain is rough, we can continue to trust His heart.

The next time we are inclined to ask God for an immediate answer or instant deliverance, may we exercise faith and trust in Him to walk the way He has led us on, even if it is not the shortest one.

This devotional was first published by Cru Singapore.

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