Get Way Out of Dodge!

On my morning commute I was listening to my One Year Bible as is my custom and noticed something I hadn't caught before.  I knew that Israel took the long way to the Promised Land but primarily I thought it was primarily because of their mistakes and lessons needing to be learned.  

Today I learned that something more was at stake.  They needed to take a road that kept them as far away from Egypt as possible so that when they got into a battle they wouldn't be tempted to go back.  This is how it reads:
​
Israel’s Wilderness Detour
17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.[a] Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

Every one of us know that if we are trying to get away from some habit or pattern of living, it is most helpful if we don't even go close to it.  Proximity feeds temptation.  

Maybe this is just for me today, but if you are escaping something damaging to your life, don't just "Get out of Dodge," Get WAY out of Dodge.