Exodus 13-14 | The Perfect Illogical Leadership of God

God knows what He’s doing. Our great problem is that we often don’t believe this. When He gives a command or direction through His Word or by His Spirit, we often object because it doesn’t “make sense” to us.

Just a few examples of God’s counter-intuitive commands:

Give and it shall be given unto you.
Bring all the first fruits of all you have(the tithe, 10%) to Him in the storehouse (the church)
Take up your cross and die
Do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge God and he will direct your path
If you lose your life, you will find it
Stand still (when your enemies are about you) and see the salvation of God
Forgive everyone who hurts you
Love your enemies and pray for them
Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God
Pray without ceasing
… and on and on.

A CROOKED PATH AND A MASSIVE SEA

Moses was leading over a million Israelites out of Egypt’s slavery. But when he left, God did not lead them in a straight path to their destination, but in a winding route. It didn’t make logistical sense.

Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-18).

When they came to the Red Sea it was impossible to cross. The Israelites must have thought that God had made a wrong turn. This became increasingly apparent when the entire Egyptian army showed up behind them and their backs were against the sea. Defeat was imminent.

GOD KNOWS

But God knows what He’s doing. Always. He’s God, after all, and has a perspective that is higher than ours. He led them by a winding route so they would not be faced with the Philistine enemies right off and get discouraged. He led them to the Red Sea so He could display his power by parting the sea, leading them across on dry land, and then destroying the entire Egyptian army that had held them in slavery for 430 years. When we see it through the lens of history, it makes perfect sense.

Speed forward a few thousand years to your life, which God is just as concerned about. He is wanting to direct you all day in every decision. And, He’s given you His Word and His Spirit to accomplish this. So, will you trust Him? Will you look to Him for this leadership by reading His Word and praying without ceasing all day? And when He gives you a seemingly illogical command, will you simply obey, knowing that He is precise and perfect in His leadership?

If you will, you will find Him manifesting Himself in ways that bless and protect you and give the world an unforgettable reminder of who He is. And His precise, particular-to-you leadership will help you love Him all the more.

Father, forgive me for not trusting You. Forgive me for not looking to you all day, every day for the path I should take. For not letting you lead. For doubting Your directions. Help me to live in a continual posture to hear Your voice and with a humble heart to believe and instantly obey the illumination of Your word and the promptings of Your Spirit.