Exodus 13 Devotional

Led the Longer Way

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.””Exodus 13:17 (BSB)

Freedom comes with instructions for remembering. God claims every firstborn in Israel as his own, and firstborn sons are to be redeemed, bought back, as a lasting reminder that the LORD brought his people out with a mighty hand (13:2, 13-15).

Then the journey begins, and God does not take the short road through Philistine land. He knows that if the people face war too soon, they may turn back to Egypt (13:17). So he leads them the long way, through the wilderness. He knows what they can bear. The psalmist says the LORD remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). He goes ahead of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and neither one ever leaves its place in front of them (13:21-22). Even Joseph's bones go with them, carried out just as he had asked generations before (13:19). When the road God has you on seems longer than it needs to be, it may be his kindness to your weakness.

To think about: Where does your road feel longer than it should, and how might God be leading you with care along it?