The Question

    Recently in my devotional readings, I came across this passage and could hear a question not stated:
         ^{EXODUS 13:17} When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.  For God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."  ¹⁸ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.  And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.
    We see that Pharaoh allowed the children of Israel go free from bondage.  But it was God Who led them out.  We see two powers: one limited, the Other unlimited.
    Yet, we read:  
         For God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."... And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle (vv17b, 18b).
    This was not an issue of physical preparedness, but of mind and heart (spiritual preparedness).  You could say, "But they had the Lord God leading them.  He's is All-powerful"  Yes, He is.  But God wanted them (as He wants us) to trust Him, to believe in Him.  Many times (as in the beginning of chapter 14), God will place His children in a situation where all we have is Him!  And then comes the question of all questions, "Will you trust God?"
    In this passage, it's not so much about the children of Israel reaching the Promise Land as it is learning to trust in their precious Lord.  It's not their final destination of reaching the Land of Promise, but their present condition of trusting the Lord God.