Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Why is this taking so long?

Most of us are familiar with the biblical account of when the Israelites escaped their four-hundred-years-long captivity in Egypt. God had promised to bring them to a new land that they could call their own—a spacious place “flowing with milk and honey.” The journey from Egypt to Canaan took approximately a month, but the Israelites wandered around aimlessly in the desert for forty years. What possibly could have kept them, God’s very own people, from reaching the Promised Land in a month?

Sometimes the fastest way isn’t the best 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.” So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt arrayed for battle. Exodus 13:17-18

Sometimes God chooses to lead us on the scenic route rather than the interstate. It may seem illogical to wait when you know that God has promised you great things, but only He can see what is ahead. He knows what we can handle and what we can’t. The Israelites at this point were not ready to face the Philistines.

They still had a lot of learning to do.

I can imagine their confusion when God not only made them take the long route but led them straight into the Red Sea. They were completely surrounded. The sea was in front of them, and Pharaoh’s armies were bringing up the rear. Sounds like a pretty impossible situation. But as the old chorus says, “God specializes in things thought impossible.”

At the Lord’s command, Moses put his staff in the water. Imagine the fear that must have filled the hearts of the people as blusterous winds come sweeping in with so much force that the waters of the sea split in half. Then God tells them to cross the sea on dry ground while he keeps Pharaoh’s army at bay with a huge pillar of fire. They cross safely. The fire dissipates. The armies follow the same path through the sea in pursuit of the Israelites. Suddenly, the thunderous wind becomes silent and the waters rush back in, drowning the Egyptians.

Not only did God bring his people safely across the Red Sea, He also decimated their enemy.

Impossible situations are never a reason for fear. You may be asking God, “Why did you bring me to these troubled waters?”

“Because your enemies can’t swim.” *

*From “Landmarks,” a memoir by Tiffany Gravett (Brown).