“AND IT came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: but God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.”
God took them out “by strength of hand"; none could stand in the way of their departure. He had said that when He took His people out of Egypt not even a dog would move his tongue against them. What a wonderful thing to think of thousands upon thousands of people, bides all their cattle, marching out of Egypt in haste in the dead of night, as they did, and not one dog barked! Surely God controls everything, and no man or beast can harm us unless He allows it for our good and blessing.
Why should I ever careful be,
Since such a God is mine?
He watches o’er me night and day,
And tells me, “Thou art Mine.”
Their withdrawal from Egypt complete, God would not leave them to take their own way, but He Himself would guide them all the way to their new promised home. The pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night would go before them. Faith coupled with obedience brought them through that dark night of judgment in Egypt, and faith would hereafter prove that although His way might seem long, it would be the only course of safety. He had marked out a route for them to travel on through the wilderness. It was not the nearest route, but in love He directed them through a course that would take them away from immediate conflict with other enemies and spare them from many discouragements along the way. And we need guidance too. We cannot choose our own path through this tangled, evil world, so God has given guidance for each step in His own precious Word.
When one is brought to Christ how well it is for him to learn to simply trust the Lord for guidance in His pathway. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,65Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5‑6). His way may at times seem long, but it will always prove to be the safest and best, and one in which needed lessons will be learned. It will be too His means of drawing one near to Himself so that He can manifest His love to us. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way in which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Psalms 32:88I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8).
As Moses looked upon this vast company of people (perhaps a million or more), besides all their cattle and possessions, he might have been dismayed at the thought of having to direct and keep them did he not remember the Lord’s prose: “I am come down to deliver them... and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land.” (ch. 3:8). Yet his heart would find encouragement in knowing that God Himself would be their true Leader and Preserver.
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