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‘But God led the people about.’
Exo_13:18
I. There were two routes to Canaan, the nearest of which was through the land of the Philistines; but to take that way would have exposed the people to the very sights that so abashed ten out of the twelve spies. They would have seen war (see Num_13:33). The Philistines might even have come out against them in embattled array, and have forbidden them to pass through their territories, as afterward Edom did (Num_20:18-20). This would have had the effect of discouraging and driving them back, and it would not have been wise to expose them to such an ordeal, so soon after their first start on their pilgrim-way.
II. Thus God deals with us still.—He tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. He has many things to say, but refrains until we are well able to bear them. He does not lead us directly and swiftly to the goal of our quest and His promise, but takes a long and circuitous route.
III. Patience and faith are severely tested, but we realise, as we look back, that we were being saved from sights and sounds which would have been too much for us. Besides, there are many and varied lessons which can only be learnt by the wilderness-route. There we are humbled, proved, and taught; we learn that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word of God; we discover the immeasurable extent of the Divine resources by which we are succoured and enriched.
Illustration
(1) ‘God leads none of us by the rapid and easy path to knowledge, fortune, or happiness. The short way might bring us to rest and glory sooner, but the rest would relax and the glory blind us. We travel by a longer, harder path; that muscle may be disciplined by toil, courage assured by conquest and self-government, studied in many a season of shame and pain. Then the crown will fit us, rest will be calm and noble activity, and glory we shall wear like kings.’
(2) ‘We must not expect to have a swift and easy course to the home of our souls. God still leads His people about. Often in life there comes a tedious waiting time; we are prevented from going straight forward; it is evident that some obstruction has been permitted to divert our course. At such times let us believe still in His leading, only that He has some special reason which we may not at the time apprehend. Perhaps there are lessons to learn, experience to acquire, strength to gain by the wilderness march, which will more than compensate for the further delay. But whatever comes, let us follow the pillar of cloud by day, and rest beneath the brooding pavilion of the glowing pillar of fire by night.’
(3) ‘They went at first eastward, towards Palestine, then were turned to the south till they encamped before Pihahiroth. This was the beginning of many such marches to and fro, seemingly purposeless, but necessary to make warriors of them.’