When Sight Becomes Faith (Exodus 13:17-14:31) Series

Today, I want to try to respect our story, by treating it in its entirety. We should hear it all at once. And it's important for the story, to start it, not in chapter 14, but at Exodus 13:17. This marks a transition ("and then"), and there's something here that we need to hear first. I was tempted to make a whole sermon out of just these three verses, and I think it'd be helpful. But I didn't (and the end result is far better, I think). So. Verse 17-20:

(17) and then, when Pharaoh released the people, God didn't lead them on the road toward the land of the Philistines

although near, it [was],

because God said,

"Lest the people repent[/change their minds/actions] when they see war,"

and they return to Egypt,"

(18) and God led the people around on the road of the wilderness of the Sea of Reeds,

and, being armed for battle, the sons of Israel went up from the land of Egypt,

(19) and Moses took the bones of Joseph with him

because he had surely made the sons of Israel swear [to him], saying,

God shall surely help/visit you,

and bring up my bones from here with you,"

(20) and they set out from Sukkot,

and they camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness.

Yahweh knows, in freeing the Israelites from Egypt, that his people have not yet learned to trust him. God knows, if they find themselves across a valley from an enemy, that they might turn, and go back to Egypt. It's a possibility.

And so what God does instead, is take them by a different route.

What does that say, about us, and God? Three things, maybe:

(1) God doesn't force you to trust him.

(2) God doesn't force you to obey him.

(3) God works within the limitations of your faith. We are imperfect vessels for God's use. There are things He'd like to do with us-- there are roads He'd like to take us on-- and He can't. He knows they are too much for us.

Now, in this particular case, the road passing through the Philistines is almost certainly God's preferred route. The Philistines have a number of nephilim among them (here, I'm assuming people have heard/read the Joshua series). Goliath is the obvious example. And God wants them all dead. So God, in a perfect world, would kill two birds with one stone, and take Israel on the faster, more efficient, more necessary road. But He can't.

This doesn't mean that the Israelites are hopeless. This doesn't mean that they are a finished product. But when I sit down, and really reflect on this, it makes me want to grow spiritually. I don't want God to be limited, by my limitations. And maybe, somehow, the things I teach will help you grow. Maybe, God can become less limited by your limitations.

As a church, we need to stretch our imaginations, and stretch our faith, and come to a place where we actually believe God's hand is strong.

And Israel just isn't there yet.

So maybe when we look at Israel here, and God, we see ourselves. Maybe this is where we are at.

Verse 21-22:

(21) Now, Yahweh [was] walking before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them on the road,

while by night in a pillar of fire to give light to them to walk by day and by night.

(22) The pillar of the cloud didn't depart by day,

and/nor the pillar of the fire by night, before the presence of the people,

Here, we see how easy God is making it for his people. Day and night, everyone could see the pillar of cloud. Every night, you'd watch it turn to fire. And every morning, you'd watch it become "just" a cloud.

Cool. And why does God do that?

Again. God knows his people lack faith. And this cloud is an act of grace on his part. God is making it easy to follow him.

The other thing this does, is make it easy for the people to follow Moses. How do you know that God sent Moses, and that God is with Moses? You can see the cloud. Anytime you find yourself doubting whether Moses is truly Yahweh's servant or not, you can just at the cloud.

As the people grow, ideally, they won't need the cloud. But here, at the beginning of their faith journey, God shows his kindness, and grace, and makes it easy. Following God, at this point, is a little like bumper bowling.

Exodus 14:1-8:

(14:1) and Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

"Speak to the sons of Israel,

that they return,

and that they camp near Pi-Hahiroth-- between Migdol and between the sea-- near Baal Zephon.