By Jenny Fulton

Scripture: Exodus 13:17

It never ceases to amaze me that you can read the Bible multiple time, be familiar with a particular passage of Scripture, and notice something new with each reading.

This happened to me last week as I was skimming through Exodus 13.

Context

Exodus 11: God unleashed the 10^th plague on the Egyptians. Every firstborn human and animal died unless they were in a house that has been covered by the blood of a lamb. This event finally persuaded Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free.

Exodus 12: God established the Passover and other feasts as a way for the Israelites to remember His power and how He saved them.

Chapter 13: The first sixteen verses instruct the Israelites on how to share the story of what God has done for them.

Exodus 13:17

And then you get to Exodus 13:17.

“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, ‘The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt’” (NASB).

I’ve always had this idea that God took them the route He did because it was the fastest way to go or maybe because He wanted to take them Mount Sinai.

But this verse tells us there was another road He could have taken His people on—a shorter one.

His reason for not doing so: they might change their minds when they experienced war.

God knew the Israelites weren’t yet ready to face the battles that were awaiting them on the shorter path. Their faith wasn’t strong enough to trust God to fight for them. In addition, they lacked the physical skills and experience that could give them the confidence to encounter such an adversary.

I thought about my own life, about how often I’ve wanted God to hurry up and get me to a certain point, a specific goal or location.

This passage made me pause and consider:

How often has God not taken me on the faster route because He knew I wasn’t ready for the challenges, for the spiritual battles I’d meet on that road?

How often is what feels like a delay or waiting period a beautiful moment of God’s love and mercy?

How often does God do for us what He did for the Israelites? He doesn’t take us to a place we’re not yet mature or strong enough to handle but instead guides us on a longer route so He can instill the strength, knowledge, and experience we’ll need to thrive through the challenges that are waiting for us.

This sets my impatience in a whole new light. The waiting becomes an active period of gratitude and training, knowing God is protecting me and building my life to better face whatever lies ahead.

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* Image by falco from Pixabay