When Israel come out of Egypt it was in great need of Divine Leadership. For 430 years the developing nation of Israel was in Egypt (12.30). It was a nation with a nation. Suddenly they were free. They had organization along family lines from Jacob's 12 sons but that was about it. Moses was the human instrument through which God spoke. 600,000men- probably over 4 million people or more were out of Egypt's borders and needing to get across the Sinai. They were on their way to the land God promised on oath to give them.
There are truths here in this passage about the way God leads His people. We are in great need today of what Israel was in need of over 3,400 years ago- God's Leading in Our Lives.
1. God's Ways Are Not Our Ways v.17
Isaiah 55.8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, "declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
He knows everything! Everything! What happened, is happening and will happen. He knows our hearts. He knows the road through the Philistine country. He knew Israel.
Without Him we can do nothing (John 15.5)
No less chart the course of our lives.
We do not know what a day may bring forth.
We cannot lean on our own understanding and expect good results.
If they had leaned on their own common sense with all those people they would have taken the road through the Philistine country, what we call today the Gaza Strip, and they would have encountered HUGE problems. So detours many times are the Hand of the LORD directing us in a path of less resistance for our own good and to carry out His plan.
The Holy Spirit kept Paul the apostle from preaching in the Province of Asia (Acts 16.6)
There are times faith makes no sense. I am sure for Paul it was so.
However faith missions would have never been launched unless someone was willing to trust in God rather than the opinions of man.
2. Sometimes God Leads Right Through The Desert v.18
Through! He brings us through the parched land. Sometimes it is His will and in wisdom He does this. Psalm 63.1 O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You, my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. David, a man after God's own heart, wrote these words.
Times of heat, (I hate the heat. This fall weather is heaven to me) thirst, times which tax us physically- difficulties come, are encountered as we follow the LORD- He brings us through them.
AND UP TO HUGE OBSTACLES v.18b
The Red Sea- no bridge, no boats- the sea on one side- the Egyptian Army on the other. -14.9
3. Keep The Promises Made To God As You Go Through Tough Times. v.19
The last time we saw Joseph in Genesis 50.24-26 Moses is fulfilling that promise the children of Israel - his forefathers made. Levi was among them Moses' great grandfather had been part of this oath.
Psalm 15.4 Who may dwell in your sanctuary... he... who keeps his oath even when it hurts. Moses had a lot (understatement).
We are to offer the LORD the first and the best of our lives.
Consecrate the firstborn... later when they farmed the land it would also be the first fruits... even in difficult times like we are in - September home foreclosures topped 100,000 for the first time. Unemployment is up, the dollar is down. We are to faithful with what God blesses us with.
4. The LORD Leads Us Through The Day and Through The Night vs.20-22
He is always leading... sometimes we must employ Psalm 27.14
Sometimes in bright sunshine with a clear view
Sometimes where we can only see the next step. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119.105
Proverbs 3.5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direst your paths.
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