The people of Israel set out from Egypt, two million people or more, both adults and children. They also had their livestock and plenty of gold, silver, and jewelry given by their neighbors. God made sure that they were paid back in full for their 400 some years of forced and oppressive labor. So, the people of Israel went out of Egypt in military array into the wilderness toward the Red Sea. What’s more important as they left Egypt was the fact that they had God with them to guide them on their journey. God knew exactly what they needed. Instead of leading by a more direct route into Canaan, He led them into the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Why? He knew that “…the people might change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” The Egyptians had a strong army and had kept their military presence in the northern part of Sinai. Furthermore, there would be the Philistines who could engage them in conflict. God knew that when they encountered a conflict that would ensue, they would become discouraged. Knowing all these, God led them in a more-round-about way toward their promised land. This affirms for us the truth that God knows exactly what we need in our life’s journey. His ways are always higher than our ways. He can see ahead because He is the all-knowing God. And following His direction is certainly the best response to His guidance. He is always working all things for our good even in the hardest of encounters in life.
In keeping with the promise that they had made to Joseph, the Israelites took his bones along with them in a catafalque. Verses 19 said that even as Joseph made them promise to take his bones with them, he also assured them that “God will surely come to take care of you.” Joseph was assured that God would be faithful. And God had proven to be true as Joseph had believed. This underscores for us that our God is faithful. He always keeps what He has promised. He is trustworthy and we can trust Him.
The people of Israel set out from Succoth and camped at Etham. But we learn that throughout their journey, they were guided by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The cloud was to shield them for the desert heat and the fire to keep them warm at night. What a marvelous God! More importantly, what the pillars of cloud by day and the fire by night tell us is that God was with them throughout all their journey. He was leading and guiding them in the journey. There can be no natural explanation for these phenomenal happenings but that God was there with them. How so? Because He was with them throughout, even in their 40 wandering years. There was not a moment when the pillars of cloud or fire were not there to guide them. Today God is still with us in our journey with Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit, another Godhead of the Trinitarian God. He is traveling alongside us to guide us into all truth. His presence is still with us today, though not in the pillar of cloud or fire. What a wonderful God!
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