THE LONG WAY

Passage: Exodus 13:17-22

Key verse: 18

NIV

Crossing the Sea

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”(A) 18 So God led(B) the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.[a] The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.(C)

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph(D) with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”[b](E)

20 After leaving Sukkoth(F) they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.(G) 21 By day the Lord went ahead(H) of them in a pillar of cloud(I) to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left(J) its place in front of the people.

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Footnotes
  1. Exodus 13:18 Or the Sea of Reeds
  2. Exodus 13:19 See Gen. 50:25.
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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Pillars of Cloud and Fire

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did (A)not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people (B)change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God (C)led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph[a] had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, (D)“God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And (E)they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And (F)the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

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Footnotes
  1. Exodus 13:19 Samaritan, Septuagint; Hebrew he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Armed, but not ready for battle (17-19)

The shortest way from Egypt to Canaan was due east and then north. But God led his people south, toward the Red Sea. Why? They were too weak to fight the Philistines. They were infected with the fatalism of a slave mentality, and they needed to see and feel God's almighty power. He wanted to train them at the Red Sea; he wanted to train them in the desert; and he wanted to meet them at Sinai (3:12). Moses took Joseph's bones. This was tangible evidence that God keeps his promises (Ge 5

:25).

2. To guide them on their way (2

-22)

They were like sheep without a shepherd, so God came to their aid. He gave them direction. God led them through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He led them by the long way. But the long way with God's sure leading is shorter than any shortcut.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the hard things that teach us faith. Lead me, and train me to live by faith.

One Word: So God led the people...