Bible Study January 3, 2023
Exodus 13:17 (LSB)
“Now it happened that when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not guide them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.””
Pharoah had finally allowed the Israelites to leave captivity after the death of the first born from Pharaoh to one in the dungeon to the firstborn of the cattle. Although he would once again change his mind. Nothing was left undone. God spoke to Moses and Aaron and told them to get ready to move out, take your flocks, your herds and move out. They were in such a hurry they even took their dough before it was leavened.
Anytime we take a trip we normally plan the way to go. God does not always do thigs the way we do them, but He does them much better.
God took them by way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. He did this from what Moses wrote in the scripture above that they might change their minds. He led them into the Sinai desert instead of along the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea into the Promised Land.
He did this so they would not encounter the Philistines who would attack and allow the possibility they would return to Egypt for safety. They grumbled about the heat, the sun, and the conditions but at least they were safe and still alive.
If our path is changed we need to understand God has a better thing for us than we can imagine. We must stay in faith His plans are better than our plans
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 