God Takes The Long Way Around

God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near Exodus 13:17

We all know the story of how God brought Israel out of the bondage of Egypt. He sent plague after plague until the will of Pharaoh was broken, and the children of Israel were released to go to the "Promised Land".

The road from Egypt to Palestine was actually a straight shot. Just four or five days of steady marching and the nation would have arrived. Yet it took Israel forty years to make a five-day journey. That’s forty years of bitterness, hardships and sorrows; forty years of fighting bitter battles to reach a destination chosen for them by a God of grace and mercy.

But through all the things they went through out there in the desert, God led them all the way. They had a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. There was no guessing; all they had to do was look up. But there are no short cuts with God; He takes the long way around.

One reason God chose the long route was because of His compassion. If they had taken the short route, they would have passed, through the land of the Philistines. The Philistines were a nation skilled in the art of war. And Israel, just coming out of the slave pit with the spirit of bondage still fresh, was no match for them. That one battle would have sent them scattering back to Egypt.

But the day would come when Israel’s army would be more than a match for the Philistines. The time was coming, but had not yet arrived. Such a trial at this point in time would have been way too much. So God took the long way around.

God doesn’t rush things. There’s no need. So He takes the road of lesser trials, lesser combats and fewer unexpected difficulties. God chooses specially designed struggles to teach us how to trust Him totally. But for some reason many of His children try everything else first, then as a last resort (when we have no other option) we try God.

For forty years Israel was out there in the wilderness; and it took every minute of the whole time to get them to trust God. Therefore, the long way was God’s way. It was the way of compassion, and with compassion there is always an education. We learn how God sees things. While it is true that five days would have gotten them to Canaan, Egypt would have still been in their blood. It took one night to get Israel out of Egypt, but forty years to get Egypt out of Israel.

But during those forty years, they learned something about God and about themselves. We need to follow their example.

When God made the world, He made it to be inhabited. Everything was already in it. With a single whisper, God could have communicated every secret to mankind. In five days the world could have reached its Canaan.

But God said no. Man had to go through centuries of toil and pain. They had to endure many dark nights before they discovered the light. They suffered through generations of cold before they discovered heat. They had to walk before they could ride, and had to ride before they could fly. Countless thousands died before various medical treatments were discovered. First there was snail mail, then faxes and instant messages and wireless network. I vividly remember watching a black and white television, and at the time, it was quite incredible. Now we have satellite viewing and plasma screen.

It took the long route to get us to where we are today. God could have given me this ministry the same year He saved me. But I would have failed miserably, and hurt countless people in the process. So He took things slow, and sent me to patient pastors and teachers who spoon-fed me the Word of God. After many years I came to understand the call to preach. When I had my first sermon, I recorded it on a tape. When I listened to it many years later, I got rid of it. It was really pretty bad and I didn’t want anyone to hear it.

Think about the coming of Jesus. God could have sent Jesus into Eden and told Adam and Eve that they had been redeemed. But God took the long way around. He called Abraham, Moses, judges and prophets. He allowed empires to rise and kingdoms to fall. He inspired psalmist to sing and prophets to prophesy. Yet He held back until the world was dying for need of a Savior. Jesus could have been born a thousand years earlier, but there was no short cut to Bethlehem

Think about Abraham. God promised him that the land of Canaan would belong to him. Abraham lived in Canaan and got rich there, but the only ground he owned was his wife’s grave. He dwelled in tents and died in a strange land. Yet he believed the Word of God even though it appeared t be impossible.

God promised David that the kingdom of Israel would be his. But David was persecuted, hunted and chased all over the land. One day King Saul went into a cave to take a nap, and David’s men said, "Behold, the day has arrived which the Lord said I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand", see 1 Samuel 24:4. One push of a sword and his enemy would have been gone.

But David said, "God forbid that I should put forth my hand against God’s anointed". When God has something for you, He’s going to get it to you. But He’s not going to rush things. When you get to where God is taking you, you’re going to appreciate it and give Him all the glory.

Jesus was tempted in all point like we are; yet He did not sin. The devil took Him up to an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil told Him, "I’ll give you all of this if you will bow down and worship me". It was just a shortcut to glory without Gethsemane or the cross. Just a quick crown. But Jesus took the long way around because it was God’s way.

Do you want to live for Christ? Do you want to be prosperous and walk in the anointing? Are you ready to preach righteousness, stand for holiness, and walk in wisdom, peace and joy? Then slow down and follow God. He takes the long way around. But in the process He will firmly establish you in the Word of Truth. It’s worth it to wait on God.

By" Edmund Brown