Life Of Moses: Part 6 Series

Today God leads us to play one of our favorite games with this text: “What if?” Now, what if games can be very depressing as a person thinks about how much greater life could’ve been and what would’ve happened if they hadn’t made that stupid decision. But, the what if before us is of the other variety, where you are simultaneously humbled and wowed. When I think of this scenario, I picture it much like the premise of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” as Jimmy Stewart’s character gets to see what would’ve happened if he wasn’t around. All the good that would’ve never happened.

Starting out, if you’re going on a road trip, say over to Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands, which way are you going to go? You’re probably going to head north to I90, then head west. Pretty simple. For the Israelites to get to the promised land of Canaan, the route was pretty simple too. They would head east out of Egypt, then bend to the north along the Mediterranean as they passed through the land of the Philistines until they reached home. What God had them do, though, was quite different. It would be very much like if you decided to go out to Mt. Rushmore, only to pass first through North Platte, NE, and then go on your way north. God’s path for the Israelites was not a straight shot out of Egypt to their goal. And in fact, I think I’m safe in saying that they would experience more difficulties and trials because God chose this way. But as you sit back and look at it, you realize this was the right call. How God ended up working this out was like fitting a puzzle together, so precise and so perfect. All of us would have to agree that sitting here now with the gift of retrospect on our side, we really couldn’t see it any other way.

Now God let the people peer behind the curtain a little bit as he informed them of one reason why he chose to lead them on an indirect route: 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.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

This one little section lets us see so much of who God is, and why he acts and plans the way he does. God is no puppet master laughing and giggling as his people run into problems. Nor is he really good at scrambling in order to figure out a plan at the last minute. God has his plan set so far in advance of it actually happening. He had his plan set before time began.

And realize too what these verses are saying about God. He doesn’t just know what’s going to happen. He knows all the details about what might happen or could happen as well. He could see that this route through Philistia was not going to be good for the sons of Israel. They wouldn’t have been ready and would’ve wanted to go back to Egypt if they had to face the Philistines. Now this is one aspect we can’t understand completely because it’s dealing in the realm of uncertainty, and because the Israelites ended up wanting to turn back at times even on the route God led them through. I don’t understand exactly why this would’ve been too much for the people, but the trials that would come their way weren’t. But, here’s a good moment to just let God be God. He knew something here that we still don’t. And after all, can you argue with the results? Ha, no! Again, God did a pretty good job here.

I want you to think about this for your own life because you are like me in that we’re worrywarts. To try and add up all the time that we waste not just during the week, but throughout a single day, worrying and not trusting God is so disappointing and we feel so stupid afterwards. Like the drunk who wakes up and once again regrets the night before, we are this way with this particular sin. It’s overwhelming and it’s a burden on our shoulders that doesn’t need to be there, and yet we keep on running back for more of it! Only to start the cycle over again, and realize what a waste of time and effort that was.

Look here and see how much time God puts in just for you. You see this not just in how God has gotten you through the rocky times. But also in how God never allowed those certain events to happen in your life that would’ve been too much for you at the time and would’ve maybe taken you further from him instead of closer to him. We’re so unaware of all the dangers around us that God keeps at bay. But this here lets us in on a bit of it. God is constantly working to bring you down the path he knows is best. This path is not without difficulty and it’s not without pain. But it’s the right way because it’s the way that Jesus gives you. And just think, what does he tell us about himself? I am the way. Is there anyone better than him to lead? Is there anyone who knows you more intimately, who knows what you can and can’t handle than him? The man carried your sin upon his back. He gets you. He knows how you struggle. He will guide your life in a way that not even you yourself could.