The long way around.

I know the story. I’ve even danced with my littles singing along, “Pharaoh, Pharaoh! Ohhh, baby. Let me people go! Huh! Yea yeah yeah yeah.” The pages holding the account of promises and plagues and deliverance are worn from being read and reread through the years.

Even still, the book of Exodus has me riveted. I’m studying these stories with fresh eyes. The legendary scenes play out in my mind and come to life as I read. I find myself weeping as the final plague is carried out against the hardened heart of Pharaoh and the Egyptian people. God’s sovereign plans to deliver the people of Israel are fascinating and I’m discovering how the lessons given by our tender, merciful and Mighty God are applicable to my ordinary life right here and now. How many times have I responded to God in the way of Moses, with a hesitant, “How can you expect me to …” {lead the Israelites out of Egypt in Moses’ case}.  Exodus 3:11

This morning, I was struck by something I have skimmed over and never noticed in the past. In Exodus 2:17-18, we watch as God leads the freed Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness to the Promised Land. Oh, mercy. I know all about the cranky Israelites in the wilderness. Even though I’m not yet there in my current study, I know what’s coming. I know the Israelites are going to forget God’s faithfulness and turn on Moses. They are going to ask, “Didn’t we tell you to leave us alone while we were still in Egypt? Our Egyptian slavery was far better than dying out here in the wilderness!” Exodus 14:12. 

I know Moses will respond with profound words. Words that are highlighted and underlined and starred in my own Bible. Words that carried me through a long, hard season of waiting, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you…The Lord himself will fight for you.” Exodus 14:13-14

No, the journey through the wilderness is not what jumped off the page this morning. This morning, I read these words and goosebumps prickled my skin:

¹⁷ When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. {Exodus 13: 17-18, emphasis mine}

Do you see it too? God didn’t take the shortest route to the Promised Land. He could have. He could have led them right through Philistine country and right into a battle. We know full well how He could have allowed the Israelites to win the war against the Philistines and keep right on toward the land flowing with milk and honey. Instead, He took them the longer, safer way- around the fighting- and through the wilderness.

He doesn’t always lead us on the shortest path. Or, quite frankly, on the path that makes the most sense to us. His ways are indeed higher and He sees what’s up ahead, while we are limited to only see what’s right before us.

While wandering in my own form of the wilderness, I often questioned God asking why He was taking so long to act. I waited for three years to have children when I faced infertility, I waited for two and a half years for Sylvie to come home after we said yes to adoption. The wait was long and hard and depleting.

Yet, now. Now, I can look back on the path God chose for me and see His Mighty hand. He led me in His mercy and wisdom on the longer route in order to change my heart and build my faith. If I had taken the shorter route, I would have missed out on all of the miraculous ways He displayed His power and glory. I would have missed out on my story. The broken and shattered path that led to my very own version of His blessed Promised Land.

What about you? Has God ever led you the long way around to a dream or an answered prayer? I hope you can also find comfort in this lesson from scripture. Even in our own frustration and weariness, we can trust God to remain steadfast. We can rest in the truth of who God is: He is slow to anger and rich in unfailing love.