Bible Discussion Thread

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The text says that God did not lead them via the short route, through Philistia. This most likely for several reasons:

1) YHWH wanted to develop the relationship between Himself and the Israelites.

2) YHWH wanted to grow the faith and commitment of the Israelites to YHWH.

3) YHWH wanted to strengthen these people as a unit, not as individual tribes, so that they will fight as one people

4) YHWH wanted to give them His Law so that they will know how their society is to live together and among the other nations.

5) YHWH wanted to test them in various circumstances so that they will learn to depend on Him.

6) YHWH wanted the Israelites to experience the many astounding miraculous workings for YHWH.

7) YHWH wanted the people to be away from Egypt and alone with God long enough for them to not want to return to Egypt.

8) YHWH wanted the people to learn about the lands outside of both Egypt and Canaan before they entered the Promised land.

9) YHWH wanted to train the people for battle by making them physically stronger than the lushness of Egypt had softened them .

10) YHWH wanted the Israelites to be purged of the idolatry of Egypt and commit to YHWH now and when they enter Canaan with all of its idolatry.

Moses taught the people how to move in orderly ranks. This is important when leading such a large multitude of people safely. No one was to run ahead, get sidetracked on another way, or lag behind and become separated from the group. They went in the direction of the Red Sea, east into the wilderness, from Succoth to Etham. YHWH led them by a pillar of clouds by day and fire by night. His presence was within the cloud and the fire and He was always with them. He led them. He was in charge. he directed the way. He stopped them when He wanted them to stop, and began moving when He wanted them to go from where they stopped. The Israelites were to submit to God and subject themselves to His directions, not by their own reasoning or concensus. God ruled.

Gigi in regards your comments on Exodus, and number 10 in your list the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt in no way were they soften by anything. They we're treated badly

Thank you Mya. I see your point. I was meaning that they needed to be strengthened for battle and for the 40 years of wandering. In Egypt they most likely went home each night and rested for the next day. The wilderness journey included all-nighters and the need for stamina for the long term. But I do admit that the men were probably strong because they were the workers of the brick making most likely. The women perhaps had other assignments, so may have needed to gain strength for the journey. It is interesting that when things got hard in the wilderness the Israelites complained and said that it would be better to be back in Egypt. That is why I said that they needed to be made stronger.