Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” NLT
TO TEACH THEM THE ART OF WARFARE
At the beginning of their journey, God led them through a longer route because the tendency of facing battles and confrontations on the shorter route is high. God knows that if they face battle at that point in time, they will run back to Egypt. Reading the opening text, you may think that God was shielding them from life's battles totally so that they will have a smooth sail into the promised land without fighting a single battle. That's not true. God only shielded them from battle at the beginning of their journey so that won't run back. However, in the process of time, we read about how they fought several battles on their way to the promised land. In fact, they possessed the promised land through brutal warfare. Till today, the Jewish nation is a fighting nation.
How come those that God shielded from war at the onset of their journey became masters of battles? Why couldn't they fight their way out of Egypt under their oppressors? The answer is not far-fetched. In Egypt, they did not learn the art of warfare. At the beginning of their journey, they haven't acquired warfare skills but later in their journey, God exposed them to battles gradually so that they can learn the art of warfare. To enter into the land that flows with milk and honey, God knew they will face the Anakims( Deut2:10, 21; 9:2, aboriginal giants in Southern Palestine), Hittites( Josh1:4, Syria&Eastern Turkey), Perizites(Ex23:23-24, occupants of Canaan in time of Abraham), Jebusites(Gen15:18-21, occupants of Jerusalem) and other pagan nations with strong warriors. Nothing good has always come easy. Don't forget that the children of Israel in their sojourn to the promised land is a typology of the church( you and me) today so we can draw vital lessons from their lives.
Before entering into the fullness of God's plans for your life, you will fight battles. Life is warfare and funfare. If you meet any preacher who tells you otherwise, he/ she has lied to you. Jesus Christ, our master said, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”(John16:33 NLT). Your wilderness experience and long period of waiting is God's training time for you to learn the art of spiritual warfare. God didn't promise us a smooth sail in life. Our walk with God isn't bread and butter. Faith is another ingredient of victory in warfare; we learn practical faith in times of distress and crisis not in the time of comfort. In fact, you wouldn't need faith if everything is in place. This season of your life where it seems everything is on a standstill and nothing seems to be working, learn how to do warfare. In life, we possess the promise through warfare. Until you become a master in warfare, you cannot be a master over life's circumstances*.
Father, I receive the grace to submit myself to your dealings in Jesus name.