Exodus 14-15: Confusion

We spend most of our lives being guided by pride above anything else.  It's difficult to admit that we don't have all of the answers, that we are not in charge.  So, it's interesting that God told Moses to have the Israelites turn back, shortly after they left Egypt.  Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert. (Ex. 14:3 NIV)

Go back, be confused.  If you're following God that's often the way it feels.  You see a door open and you start to walk through when suddenly it is closed in your face.  You pull up stakes and move as you think God is leading and the next thing you know, you're being told to go back where you came from.  What is going on?

In a sense, God was testing his people to see if they would obey him completely.  But then the most extraordinary thing happened.  The angel of God who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them.  The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. - Ex. 14:19-20  NIV

The ones who had been leading them became the rear guard, protecting them and leading the enemy to their destruction instead.  What appeared to be confusion became the means of their salvation.  By this time they knew Pharaoh's heart.  The enemy was going to pursue them.  They could look strong and eventually be overtaken or they could look confused and become victorious.  Total surrender, total obedience, total trust sometimes looks foolish to outsiders, but if we're following God we can trust all of his twists and turns.

2010 Post - Exodus 13-16:  Bitter and Sweet