If you take the Bible in bite-sized chunks it is amazing what you discover. Take Exodus 13:17-22, for example. Crossing the Red Sea is in their near future, but of course,e the Israeli don't know that yet. They are busy getting to that location via a "longer" than usual route. God didn't want to take them through Philistine territory just yet because, even though they were battle-ready (18b), He didn't want to discourage them right out of the shoot.
Joseph's bones went along for the walk because Moses was honoring Joseph's last words. I talked about that in a previous post.
Most placenames in Exodus are lost to history, so the Jew’s route is mere speculation. The intriguing part of this chapter is that it is here that the Pillar appears to guide and protect them. I believe that the pillar of cloud led and also covered the people from the desert sun. The pillar of fire also lit the camp at night. It was a tremendous physical symbol of God's presence on a daily and moment-by-moment basis. It didn't leave the people for the next forty-plus years.
The incredible aspect of the pillar is that the people got used to it. They did not think twice about gripping and complaining during their trip to Mount Sinai, nor in the proceeding years. God was present, and they complained. Such an ungrateful lot.
We have the word of God to guide, direct and speak to us daily, but we don't care. We gripe and complain about supposed and real problems and dangers. But we don't stop to realize that God is right there with us and protecting us from said problems.
We, too, are an ungrateful lot. See that aspect as you read about the Walk in the desert.
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