My husband and I decided to follow The Bible Project‘s Read Scripture reading plan that goes through Genesis to Revelations in a year. We started this month of November and are already reading through Exodus. Revisiting these Old Testament books (Genesis and Exodus so far) has been refreshing to say the least and we both are taking note of observations or reflections that we didn’t seem to have had when we read these books before.
I was reading through Exodus 13 when I noticed something interesting after Pharaoh finally decided to let them go on a three-day journey to the wilderness to worship God. In Exodus 13:17, it was specifically written down or recorded that God did not let them travel through the land of the Philistines even though it was a shorter route. God made it that way so as not to let fear creep into their hearts if the Israelites were to face war with the Philistines.
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.”
Exodus 13:17 NIV
They were then led by way of the wilderness. They didn’t mind being in or traveling through the wilderness at the time. They only started groaning, complaining and wishing that they should have stayed in Egypt once they saw that they were being pursued by the Egyptians.
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
Exodus 14:10-12 NIV
But Moses, because he had heard from God himself, rebuked their cries and said,
Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV
Fear from what they saw took away their peace but Moses spoke peace over them out of what he heard directly from God and the assurance from God’s promise that He will deliver them from the hands of their enemies.
Often we let our hearts be troubled by fear caused by what we see in the natural when we only need to be still and hear Abba’s voice for ourselves and let Him and His presence speak peace over us, peace that surpasses all understanding.
I don’t know what problem or difficulty you are facing today. We all have them. But I just want to tell you that in every battle that we face—whether it’s with your finances, in your workplace, with your family or your friends—God still reigns. He reigns over everything. The Lord is always faithful to His beloved. Stand on His promises and who He says you are in His eyes. He will fight for you and all your battles. You only need to be still.
Suggested Worship Song to Soak In:
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