Puzzled

There are lots of things that puzzle me, especially when it comes to the ways God chooses to work.

Two things (well at least two) I never learnt in Sunday School when I heard the story of God parting the Red Sea that are a bit puzzling:

1 'God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.' Exodus 13:17 I'm guessing the Israelites would have preferred the shorter route, but God lead them on a different road. Why?

2 'God will fight for you, you need only be still.' Exodus 14:14 Be still?! Are you serious?! Then comes the reassurance, 'GOD will fight for you'. And He did. He delivered on His promise, just as He always does.