Moses--Day 14

Friday, September 17

Moses: Called, Challenged, Changed

A Detour and A Covering

When Pharoah 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.” So God led the people around the desert road toward the Red Sea.

Exodus 13:17-18

Suggested reading: Exodus 13

In this chapter we see that the Lord speaks to Moses about two things:

1. The Israelites were always to celebrate the Passover: Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand (v. 3). This celebration, also called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, was to teach the Hebrew children and grandchildren about their God who had delivered them.

2. Once the Hebrews entered the promised land, they were to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb (v. 12). The livestock were to be offered as a sacrifice, and the firstborn among the sons were to be redeemed; again, this was to teach their children about how God spared all the Hebrew firstborn on the night of the Passover. They belonged to God. (This practice of “buying back” their firstborn pointed to Christ, the Redeemer!)

We also see in this chapter that God does two things:

1. He didn’t take the “short cut.” He knew to take a detour in order to avoid the Philistine country because he also knew his people. War would have sent them running back to Egypt.

2. He guided them in a way that only he could do. By the day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud 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. Neither the pillar of cloud by day or fire by night left its place in front of the people (v.21-22)

Thoughts:

In this chapter, I see the tender mercy of our God. He both teaches them by giving them his established ordinances and guides them by giving them his natural wonders. He knows their frame. He knows what they can and can’t handle. He is committed to leading them, 24/7. I love the thought that the cloud in the daytime provided shade and the fire at night gave them warmth.

God doesn’t miss anything as he cares for his people!

What part of this chapter encourages you today? For me, I want to rest in the fact that he knows what he is doing with his people, his children—that includes you and me. Like a momma holding her child’s hand, I see him teaching them truths, all the while directing their steps.

We may not have a cloud and a fire to see and to feel, but we do have his Word and his Spirit…to teach and to guide…by day and by night.

Going Deeper and Sweeter: Psalm 23; Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 30:21

Dear Lord, Thank you for your faithful love and care. Help us to take hold of your hand, and like a child, completely trust where you are taking us. Amen.