The Lodestar

God, in his divine wisdom, considers our strengths and weaknesses as he intricately maps our journey with him to eternity. This journey, exemplified by the Israelites' trek to the promised land, is challenging. However, these hurdles are not random but carefully planned, taking into account our spiritual stamina at every stage of our Christian growth.

The shortest route to Canaan is the ancient trade route called the Via Mari (Way of the Sea), which starts in Egypt and runs along the coastal plain of the Mediterranean Sea to the North of the Levant. It runs through the landmass called the Negeb between Canaan and Egypt. Abraham passed through this area when he visited northern Egypt. Jacob and his family also went to Egypt this way.

However, the southern part of this coastal route was populated by Philistines who migrated from the Aegean Islands to the Western shore of Canaan. The political federation of five Philistine cities is a formidable challenge in that area.

The Israelites are now on their way to the promised land. They are unarmed and unskilled in anything other than brickmaking. The Philistines, with their advanced weaponry, will engage them in battle.

The Lord, who had previously rescued the Israelites from Egypt with his mighty hand, will again intervene to ensure their victory in the upcoming battle. Recognising their feebleness, he chose not to subject them to war as their first significant event, which could dishearten them. Instead, he sought to demonstrate his power over the Red Sea and the mighty Egyptian army that he would drown.

They had to take the long route, crossing the Red Sea through the Sinai desert. To make matters worse, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years due to their rebellion.

Though the route was meandering, the Lord planned everything to avoid things that might frighten them. When God directs us through life's detours, it is always for our good. As the psalmist says, "The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust" (Psalms 103:13—14, NLT).

But on the long route, God has ordered miracles to meet us. It might have taken you many years to reach where you are now, but God's hands have guided you.

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