Why not? Because the people needed disciplining and molding as a Nation. They would have been destroyed by way of Philistia, but by the way of the wilderness they were trained slowly for the great task at their journey’s end. God, who chose the route, also chose the leader. God, who disciplined the people, also disciplined the man who led them.

History and experience seem to point to the fact that God’s line for us is not usually a straight line, but a winding zigzag path.

The roundabout way may be the nearest! JOSEPH PARKER

Over the Apennines there is a wonderful railroad—one passes through forty-three tunnels in less than seventy miles—magnificent outlooks, but every few minutes, a tunnel! The road has been built to carry the traveler to his destination by the shortest way; anyone getting off at the first station, simply because he did not like tunnels, and striking into the mountains to find another path would be almost sure of being lost and starving to death.

Can we not believe the same thing of God’s way? His way lies through tunnels—long ones often, but it is the best and safest road. And it is not all tunnels; in the region of the high rocks there are most glorious prospects! Places so full of beauty, and commanding such outlooks of love and mercy, as ought to reconcile us to the intervals of darkness.

Be not afraid of the winding way if God turns you into it. Travel the road He points out to you! God brings men to His consummations only by His own road.

We climbed the height by the zigzag path And wondered why—until We understood it was made zigzag To break the force of the hill. A road straight up would prove too steep For the traveler’s feet to tread; The thought was kind in its wise design Of a zigzag path instead.

It is often so in our daily life; We fail to understand That the twisting way our feet must tread By love alone was planned.

Then murmur not at the winding way, It is our Father’s will To lead us Home by the zigzag path, To break the force of the hill.

ANONYMOUS

Simply following God is the true philosophy of life.