Exodus 13:18 - but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.

Generated Verse: Exodus 13:18

What does "Exodus 13:18" mean?


Exodus 13:18 describes two key aspects of the Israelites' departure from Egypt:

"but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea": Instead of taking the direct route to Canaan, which would have been through Philistine territory, God intentionally led the Israelites on a more circuitous path through the wilderness, near the Red Sea. This was likely for a few reasons:

To avoid conflict: The direct route would have meant immediate confrontation with the Philistines, who were a strong and well-armed people. God may have wanted to avoid a premature battle with a people as yet unready for war and still slaves in mindset.
To test and prepare them: The wilderness journey was a time of testing, learning, and growing in faith. It was a time for God to establish a covenant relationship with them and to teach them his laws.
To fulfill his plans: God's ways are not always immediately understandable to humans, and this could also be part of a larger divine plan.

"and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt": This statement suggests that the Israelites were equipped with weapons when they left Egypt. This is important for understanding subsequent events, such as the crossing of the Red Sea and the eventual conquest of Canaan. It implies that they were at least partially prepared to defend themselves.

In summary, Exodus 13:18 highlights that God guided the Israelites away from an immediate path to Canaan and directed them into the wilderness, and it points out they were also equipped with weaponry when they left Egypt.