Just Another Question.

So, I’ve been thinking; why the wilderness?

I made it through the Israelite’s flight from the oppressive hand of Egypt.
Pillars of cloud and fire as a guide.  Which has become my most recent prayer.  I’d take a firefly for pete’s sake, as long as I could follow it somewhere.
The parting of the Red Sea.  It’s a massive body of water.  Split. They bustled right through a water-walled corridor with Pharaoh’s entourage nipping at their heels.

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today...The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.  Exodus 14:13-14  

Moses drops a praise jam.  Sing it.
Filling their bellies. Cleaning bad water with a log and sending food in the form of glutinous frost.  And let’s not forget hitting a rock with a stick to get water too.
Defeating the army of Amalek. With God, and the help of some good friends.
Some father-in-law-ly advice.  Which I’ve written about before...
The presence of God.  Enough said.
The Ten Commandments.  A semi-pivotal part in the story.

All of these things could be a page or two on their own.
But through all this, I can’t shake it; why the wilderness?

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.  For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.”  But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.  Exodus 13:17-18

War.  I’m not  certain, but I can see why something like war might make you change your mind.
I do know for certain that there have been a few times in the wilderness where I’ve thought, “Why the heck am I choosing to subject myself to this right now?” A few trips across insanely windy lakes and sleeping on roots and rocks after hiking all day come to mind.

And the Israelites ended up 'changing their minds' in the wilderness anyway.  Many times wanting their [comfortable] lives of slavery back.

So why the wilderness God?  
You had to have known that your people are prone to these changes of feeling.  One minute they are crying out to you because of their oppression and the next they’re begging to go back.  Just lead them through the war, let them change their minds, save and provide over and over again, and get them to the promised land a little quicker.
There has to be something else going on here.

Did you have to deprogram your people?
Deconstruct their identity as slaves instead of sons and daughters?
Break down the influences of a culture with many gods but devoid of the real deal?
Did you need to show them your glory?
Remind them that the Lord their God is one, the one?
And that He is freaking powerful, compassionate and amazing?
Did they just need time?
Time and distance before they entered the promised land, a new life?
Did they need to experience your ceaseless faithfulness for forty years before they would really understand?
Were you doing all of the above God?
And something really cool that I don’t even know about?

And after all that, my questions remains.
Why the wilderness?
Why.
The.
Wilderness.

If anyone has any insight.  Please, do share.
I love sharing.