They left the land

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by bearerofChrist

by bearerofChrist

Exodus 13:17-22

1. Path vs 17-18

It's not the easiest way but it's God's way, the quicker, shorter route would have put them through philistine territory. The Lord knows what he's doing and how easily we'll give up, the road God places us on might not be the shortest or easiest route, there might be difficulties in the way that we don't want to deal with, but it's the route God is taking us on. Our God knows the road far better than we do and if he takes us on a diversion we should trust Him.

When pharaoh sees them take the diversion he thinks they're lost so he chases after them, but the Red Sea opens for the Israelites and encloses on the Egyptians as they follow. Not only was the route better for the people but it wiped out the Egyptians. The route we go on won't just be the best for us but it's the one that most glorifies God.

2. Promise vs 19

After all that happened to him, Joseph did not give up on the promises of God. Even in Joseph's wealth and success he looks towards God. 430 years later God delivers on his promise and is true to his word and Joseph's faith is rewarded as his coffin is carried out of Egypt.

Does our comfort and ease blind us from what God has to offer? Even in the palace Joseph held onto the promise and God delivered.

3. Presence vs 20-21

God doesn't leave his people to wander aimlessly, his pillar of cloud and fire are constantly there to show the Israelites where to go. God will never leave or abandon us as Christian's from the beginning of our walk with the lord to the eternal end, God is the Alpha and Omega. The same way the pillar of fire and cloud never left its place the whole journey.

But why the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire?
Quite often when cloud appears in the Bible it's used as a covering or vail like a bride on her wedding day, too beautiful to be seen. God is so pure and glorious that he's covered in a cloud.

God spoke to Moses in the flames of a burning bush. It's revealing to us the presence of God. We've come along way since the exodus and now through Jesus, the spirit of God is no longer just in a pillar but in the heart of every single Christian. He lives in us all. The presence of God is no less real than it was back in Exodus. We have the New Testament equivalent of the pillar of fire living in us. Whichever path the Lord may take us on we can always hold onto those promises and rely on him. God saved the helpless then and He'll save us now, and guide us to our new home.

30/10/22 Evening