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.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle. – Exodus 13:17-18
One of my favorite things about social media is that I have had the opportunity to be exposed to writers and ideas I might not have known about otherwise. Some of these writers have been friends who have shared their thoughts on life and their journey of faith. Others have come through recommendations of friends or via retweets from friends.
Jonathan Acuff of “Stuff Christians Like” is one of these writers. I appreciate the way he uses humor to spur conversation, thought and even conviction. In one post I read recently, he writes about Exodus 13:17-18,
“I love the simplicity of that. God knew that if the Israelites took the short way, if they took what probably seemed like the logical route, they’d face a war they weren’t ready for and would probably willingly return to slavery. So out of love, out a deep, big love for His people, he took them on the desert road.” (#575. Refusing the gift of the desert road)
Acuff goes on to talk about the confusion the Israelites must have had and how you and I feel that way sometimes. We wonder why God has us on the desert road rather than the highway. I love Ginny Owens’ song “This Road.” In the chorus, she writes “why this way, why this road, why this load. Tell me how far must I go till I know why this road.”
Sometimes, the desert is a consequence of our actions. Sometimes, it is a product of living in a fallen world. Sometimes, to paraphrase Acuff, that desert road is a gift, protecting us from war.