17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” 18 So He led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation.
My kids are learning this passage for Bible Bowl, and as I quizzed them, I realized that this is an odd way to leave. Wouldn't they leave in a celebratory manor? Wouldn't they be skipping around a bit if they were leaving a place of slavery and defeat and going to a land of freedom and victory?
Perhaps this isn't so odd after all.
When we leave a place of slavery and defeat in our own lives, we often times face hardship. We often times feel like we are in a battle. And, we are.
Ephesians 6:12-13English Standard Version (ESV) says,
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
And so, as the Lord leads us to a place of freedom and victory, we will face the adversary, we will need to be in battle formation. That isn't because we aren't to take that rout. It's because we are on the correct rout, and we are headed toward victory.