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| Exodus 13:17-22 |
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Lesson # Exodus 13:17-22 Study Material - Exodus 13:17-22 You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Ex. 13:17-22 17 Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead 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 they return to Egypt.' 18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, 'God shall surely take care of you; and you shall carry my bones from here with you.' 20 Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. Etham, 'house of turning', or 'city of turning', this is the decision point of the Israelites. To continue following God or to turn back . They have originally left the region of Rameses (the land of Ra), for Succoth (a place of shelter), and now onto the city to the southeast, Etham, wherein they make their decision to continue or not. Moses has already been told by God that they will return to the mountain where Moses first encountered God, Ex. 3, and serve God there. God states that He will not take the direct route into Canaan, up along the Mediterranean coast, which is the shortest route (just a few days walk), but will follow the long route (which will take them forty years because of various reasons related to the grumbling and lack of spiritual growth of the people). In Canaan, the people at this time are powerful and tough. The Israelites are just freed from slavery, not organized, not trained in battle, and if they went directly into the land, they would be met head on with a tough and ruthless opponent. They would not only lose but they would lose heart and run, and run right back to Pharaoh. The Israelites lacked mental toughness, courage, and training. The Canaanites had battle toughness, and more than that, they did not have any preconceived ideas regarding the Israelites. This would change after the crossing of the Red Sea, when all who viewed the crossing and the defeat of the Egyptians, not by the Israelites, but by their God, thus the beginnings of fear would be planted in their hearts. Until now the communication and obvious evidence of God was restricted to Moses and Aaron. They were the spokesmen for God to Pharaoh and the people in general. Once the Passover has occurred and the faithfulness of the peoples beliefs have become evident, then God makes himself visible, in a sense, to all the people who will follow. The 'Shechinah' or appearance of divine glory is manifested in the cloud or pillar of smoke by day, and a pillar of fire by night. Thus God is seen 24 hours a day, and all who will follow, can see and follow no matter where they are with in the long procession, which probably stretch for miles with all the people, herds, etc. When God moved, they would follow in the same direction. When God stopped, then that is where they would camp for the time. They carried the bones of Joseph in obedience to his wishes that he be returned back into the land of Canaan for permanent burial. The bones of Joseph also served as a reminder that Egypt was not their home, but rather Canaan was their rightful home, and to it they would one day return. Once a person becomes saved, that person is an infant spiritually and needs to grow up. One does not go directly from birth to the presidency, but needs to grow up, learn, and mature before being placed in a place of responsibility. God will test all believers, Deu. 8:2., in order to see exactly what is in each persons heart. God gives you blessings as well as sufferings. A person who has Bible doctrine in his heart is more apt to pass these tests with the proper priorities and applications of Gods wisdom, than a person who lacks spiritual growth. A person who is unselfish will pass them more so than a person who is unselfish. So the content of ones soul is the key to how one meets the challenges and blessings in life. If prosperous, then are you selfish or generous? If poor, are you positive or resentful? The real you is what you think. God could have led the people directly into battle, but their mind set was not ready. God does not place challenges before you that are greater than you are ready to bear, 1 Cor. 10:13. Note that this applies to those who belong to Him. To those who reject Him, then the jungle is their environment and that jungle has lots of treachery awaiting anyone who happens by, and regardless of whether you are prepared or not. Gods path may not be the shortest route, but it is the best route. 
Now is the time to post a prayer. End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. |
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