Yahweh, our Guide and Protector

Exodus 13:17-22

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.” 1But 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

    Our passage today is a brief account of the time between when Israel left Egypt and before they came to the Red Sea.  God had sent the ten vicious plagues on Egypt and had made Pharaoh beg to be free of the Israelites.  Before too long, however, Pharaoh regretted this decision and chased after them.  This little passage is wedged in between those greater accounts, but these verses have much to tell us. 

    I’d like to share three lessons from this passage.  Firstly, notice what Verses 17-18 say.  God was leading Israel out to the Promised Land, but instead of taking the shorter route through the land of the Philistines, God led them through the wilderness.  Verse 18 gives the reason for this.  God knew that war would discourage them and send them fleeing back to Egypt. 

    God knows what is best for us.  He knows the best path for our lives.  Sometimes that path won’t make sense to us.  Sometimes it will seem much more difficult and perhaps even pointless, but we must trust in the will of God.  Sometimes God is using the longer path to sanctify us and to grow us in ways that an easier and quicker path wouldn’t afford. 

    By the time the Israelites came to the Promised Land in Joshua’s day, they were ready to fight.  It took them 40+ years to get ready for the battles that God had for them.  God knows when we’re ready for what He has for us.  Sometimes His timetable isn’t convenient for us, but it is always better. 

    Secondly, Verse 19 tells us that Moses took the bones of Joseph when they left Egypt.  In Exodus 50 we read of the vow that Joseph made his descendants take.  When they left the land of Egypt, they were to take his bones and bury them in the Promised Land.  Moses honored this request.  He honored the heritage that Joseph’s request symbolized. 

    As Christians, we should appreciate and embrace our heritage.  Certainly we must never blindly follow error, but we must respect and be grateful for those who came before us.  We must remember that we are the fulfillment of God’s promises to our forefathers, and we must appreciate and honor that legacy. 

    Thirdly and finally, look at Verses 21-22.  As Moses and the Israelites walked through the wilderness, they were not alone.  God went with them.  He sent with them visible manifestations of Himself—a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night. 

     This granting of His Shekinah glory reveals to us two things about God’s presence with us.  Firstly, God is a Guide.  He is a light in our darkest hour.  He will never lead us astray.  He will keep us on the right path if only we will follow Him faithfully.  Matthew Henry said, “Those who make the glory of God their end, and the word of God their rule, the Spirit of God the guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of their affairs, may be confident that the Lord goes before them, as truly as he went before Israel in the wilderness.”

    Secondly, God is our protector.  In Exodus 14 we read that the pillar of cloud, which had been in the front of the Israelites, guiding them, moved to the rear of the group, acting as a shield.  God put Himself in between His people and their enemies.  He was a wall in between them and their assailants. 

    The same is true for us today.  As a loving Father, He takes us as His sons and gives us royal protection.  As a mother hen, He brings us underneath the shelter of His wings.  As Martin Luther wrote, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.”

    We must learn the lessons of this passage, trusting God with our future.  Unlike the Israelites, we must trust in and be satisfied with the direction that God has for us.  We must embrace His light and His love as He leads us through this wilderness of life. Rest assured, He will bring us to the Promised Land.