"GOD LED THE PEOPLE!"

Exodus 13:17-22                      (ESV)

"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 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."

The accounting of the Exodus from Egypt by the children of Israel continues to teach me lessons all these years later.  GOD had to show HE was the ultimate authority to a unbelieving lost world was back then, and HE still proving it today to anyone that will look and listen.  The closest, and easiest exit from Egypt would have appeared to be through the land of the Philistines, according to the map!  But following the leadership of GOD was the thing that stands out for me as the biggest lesson to be learned from the Exodus, not doing the easiest thing.   

GOD is the ALMIGHTY and HE could have defeated the Philistines as well as HE did all of the wilderness nations, but HIS Plan called for HIS people to FOLLOW "the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night" as they journeyed.  GOD not only wanted to have the Israelites trusting in HIM to conquer the enemy, but HE wanted HIS children relying on HIM for their very sustenance to survive!  

"GOD LED THE PEOPLE" to just the place where HE could get Glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts (Exodus 14:4) at the Red Sea, but throughout their journey "in the wilderness" the Israelites followed "the cloud" and were victorious in their battles, with the exception of Ai (Joshua 7)!  

As long as "GOD LED THE PEOPLE", and they followed HIS lead, there was success.  While it is true that going through the wilderness wasn't the closest, nor easiest path, the journey allowed GOD to get Glory over all HIS enemies, and ultimately isn't that our goal?!?  We generally are always looking for the shortest, easiest, path with the least resistance.  Sometimes GOD "leads us" through the wilderness so HE can be glorified.  Just because you see someone going through some difficult times in their lives doesn't mean GOD isn't using them for HIS Glory.  "GOD LED THE PEOPLE" through the wilderness before, and HE could be doing it again, FOR HIS GLORY!!!