What can we learn from the Israelites' journey about trusting God's timing? Stepping Out from Sukkoth: Setting the Scene Exodus 13:20 tells us, “They set out from Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.” One short sentence, yet packed with insight. Sukkoth to Etham was only the first leg of a long trek, but Israel’s obedience to move exactly when and where God directed provides a template for trusting His timing. Why God’s Timing Can Feel Puzzling • Israel had just witnessed the dramatic Passover and the death of Egypt’s firstborn. Human logic might shout, “Hurry! Put as much distance between you and Pharaoh as possible!” • Instead, God led them to the “edge of the wilderness,” not straight to Canaan (Exodus 13:17-18). The route looked like a detour, yet every stop was divinely scheduled. • Our lives echo this pattern. We celebrate victories, yet God’s next step may place us in a quiet, uncertain “Etham” where progress feels stalled. Lessons from Etham: Trust in Motion • Obedience Precedes Explanation – Israel moved first, then learned why later (see Exodus 14:3-4). – Trust today may not include full insight until tomorrow. • Guidance Is Continuous – “The LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud by day… and in a pillar of fire by night” (Exodus 13:21-22). – God does not provide one-time directions; He remains visibly present. • Timing Shapes Testimony – Waiting at Etham set the stage for the Red Sea miracle (Exodus 14:13-31). – Delays often prepare a platform for God’s larger display of power. Echoes Through the Rest of Scripture • Psalm 27:14 — “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous.” • Isaiah 40:31 — Strength comes not from rushing ahead but from “waiting on the LORD.” • Galatians 4:4 — Even redemption arrived “when the fullness of time had come.” • 2 Peter 3:9 — God’s seeming slowness is patience, “not wanting anyone to perish.” Practicing Trust in Everyday Life 1. Move When the Pillar Moves – Stay responsive to God’s Word and Spirit, even if the destination is unclear. 2. Camp Contentedly at “Etham” – Use pauses to deepen prayer, memorize Scripture, and recall past deliverance. 3. Expect Red-Sea Moments – Anticipate that today’s delay could position you for tomorrow’s breakthrough. 4. Hold Fast to God’s Unbroken Record – From Passover to Promised Land, every promise proved literal and true—He has not changed (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). Closing Takeaway The Israelites’ first campsite reminds us that trusting God’s timing is less about understanding the schedule and more about following the Shepherd. Every step, every stop, and every seeming setback is coordinated by a God who never miscalculates. Stay close to His presence, and His timing will prove perfect. |
    |