Leaving Bondage

Exo 13:17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

18 So God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army. (NLT)

They were led in an orderly manner, not in confusion, they were like an army marching as in some formation. John Gill writes that if the ranks were three feet apart and a mile wide, the distance from the front to the rear would be sixty miles. How long would it take them to cross the Red sea, as the LORD parted it for them to walk through? I would think it would take at least three days. What if the width of the sea opening were three miles wide, would they be able to go through in one day?

They were not led the easy way through the Philistines, but by a miraculous way. The easy way would make it easy for the Egyptians to bring them back. When we are in bondage to sin, do we take the easy way out? The easy way of salvation is sometimes called "cheap grace." Where words are said, but no tears shed and no commitment to the LORD. When troubles of the world come, then they return back into bondage.

In the story of Israel fleeing the bondage of Egypt, a type of the world. The LORD destroyed the worlds pull on them, but the people still were slaves to their thoughts. Faith has to be formed in our hearts if we are to continue, showing our salvation to be true. Faith comes by hearing and hearing, of the word of God. (Rom 10:17) Each of us must keep hearing God's word, making a commitment to continue in faith. Faith will see us through, if our behavior is changed by faith to obey the LORD. Learn to discern right from wrong in a world that has little truth, but makes it's own truth. World truth is not God's truth. Stay in God's truth and overcome the world. Allow your faith in Jesus to grow until you are made perfect, or mature in his love.

When I rededicated my life to God, I had left a job by faith to become a photographer. Growing in the Word of God and in faith kept me going. He blessed my family and my business through bad and good times. I did not want to return to the old job, I could only look forward as the Lord led me, there was no turning back. He has blessed me for these 36 years and he will be faithful to me forever.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. 

Will we remain faithful to him?