Wilderness Wanderings

<<desert travels>>

History:

The wilderness journey, as experienced by the Israelites, covered the period from leaving their enslavement in Egypt – in the (inhabited) delta area of the River Nile – until they entered the Promised Land of Canaan. The account of this trip commences in the Book of Exodus and continues through Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and into Joshua.  The key leaders were Moses, assisted by Aaron, and then later Joshua, who actually led the Israelites into Canaan.  This event took place about 1446 BC and the total number of people to depart Egypt is estimated to have been about two million people, plus livestock (Ex 12:37,38).

Although Egypt borders Israel the Israelites meandered through the largely uninhabited, desolate desert regions of Sinai, (and the occasional oasis), for years, yet God miraculously provided manna for their food and pasture for their sheep and cattle (Ex 15:22,27, 16:31,35; Num 33:1-50). It is recorded as taking eleven days to walk from Mount Horeb, to the southern border of their inheritance yet they spent forty unnecessary years in this barren wasteland because of their lack of co-operation with God, complaining and failing to recognise their potential in Him (Ex 19:1-6; Deut 1:2). It wasn’t the distance to the Promised Land that was the issue – it was the attitude of their hearts. God’s intention was not just to get them into their inheritance; He wanted a people who would be obedient and dedicated to Him.

regulations are still applicable for us as they state God’s character and how He expects all humans to live, while others applied specifically to the Jewish nation in the wilderness.

Typology (Insights for our journey):

There are numerous similarities between the Israelites experiences and our ‘wilderness journey’ on earth before entering our eternal ‘Promised Land’. God provided for them in the desert and we also are the recipients of His mercy and grace.

1/. Before we became Christians, we were in a life of bondage to the old, sinful, worldly life (symbolised as Egypt) and now we are on a pilgrimage to Heaven and complete, everlasting victory through Christ. It is relatively easy to come out of ‘Egypt’ by being born again yet hard to get the culture of ‘Egypt’ out of our hearts. Just as the Israelites had to leave Egypt to worship God acceptably, we can’t compromise on our devotion and obedience to God for He is training us to live now in service and commitment to Him.

2/. In this transition period we are not to live under the old regime (of the flesh and its vices). It is to be considered a thing of the past, as we focus on what is to come, mindful that the present circumstances and conditions are not indicative of our final destination (Rom 6:11-14). Worshipping the golden calf was a tradition of idol worship carried over from the life in Egypt (Ex 20:23, 32:8). What customs or values do I cling to that reflect the old life that should be discarded? Remember we are to have nothing that takes a higher place in our lives than God as we walk in this new life with Him (Ex 20:3-6; Mk 12:30; Rom 6:4; 2 Cor 5:17).

3/. The act which triggered the exodus was the painting of blood on the door frames before the destroying angel passed over the people (Ex 12:7,12). The Passover was also established as an annual festival of remembrance and thanksgiving recognising the significance of this event. The early Christian church saw a parallel with Christ shedding His blood to redeem sinners and so the Passover meal was adapted to become the Lord’s Supper, where we remember His death for our deliverance.

is being readied for the Kingdom of God today, both being fraught with difficulties, but God is sovereign and will bring us into our inheritance.

5/. The Lord miraculously delivered and provided for His people, including making a path through the Red Sea, annihilating their enemy, causing their clothing not to wear out, supernaturally providing water at various times, causing quail to be available for food and for 40 years providing manna from which they cooked cakes – in fact they lacked nothing (Ex 14:21-31, 16:11-35, 17:5,6; Deut 2:7, 8:4).  Numerous times He has supernaturally worked on our behalf too, yet we are often unaware of the protection and guidance He provides, let alone being thankful (Ps 32:8; Heb 1:14).

6/. God’s covenant with the Israelites parallels the New covenant He makes with His chosen people (Heb 9:15). He laid down the terms and conditions then and He still sets the standards for Christians.

Throughout their history the Israelites were prone to the temptations and seductions of other nations, ignoring God’s instructions. Today we need to be mindful of those we associate with as their lifestyle and habits will influence us, and maybe not for the better (Ex 23:32,33; Num 25:1,2, 33:55; Deut 7:2; Prov 5:8; Col 3:5; 2 Tim 2:26). 

Bringing God into the equation:

The Bible brings us the story of Israel’s history to teach us about God and ourselves.

grow closer to Him, without the distractions and complacency of a comfortable life, for this is where most often we consciously encounter God and His provision as we seek Him with intensity of purpose. It is in the wilderness that we can discover the power of God and exercise faith in His infallible Word in spite of feelings and circumstances.

2/. Obedience brought blessing to the Israelites and so it is for us. Resist Satan then you will be able to move into what God has for you (Dan 11:32; Jas 4:7,8). The promises of God’s usually have conditions for us to meet before He fulfills His part. These are dependent on our hearing and obeying, but how often we are undisciplined, thinking we know best or are an exception to this basic rule (Ex 15:26; Lev 26:1-46; Deut 28:1-30:20; Mt 7:24-27; Jas 1:22). Until we get to heaven, we are not beyond the reaches of Satan’s temptations to sin – in thought, if not in action. Deal decisively with his tactics and don’t let him cheat you out of what God has for you, knowing victory is painstakingly won over a period while often lost in a rash moment.

3/. Prayer and action are required to achieve success and conquer the enemy.  One without the other is futile – be watchful and also pray while God works with and through you (Ex 17:8-16; Mt 26:41; Mk 16:20; Lk 21:36). Victory is beyond our capability, so rely on Christ to accomplish this by having your eyes firmly fixed on Him (Heb 12:2). We need a realization of our position and authority in Christ, as sons of God, because of the cross. As the liberating event of Jesus defeating the enemy for us has never lost any of its power or effectiveness, it is our task to live out what has been achieved, by walking in the truth and power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us (Jn 10:10; 1 Jn 3:8, 4:4; 3 Jn 1:4). You may lose some battles, but don’t give up as He doesn’t condemn those who are walking with Him,  forgiving us when we repent, and enabling us to move on, both wiser and humbler (Ps 37:23,24; Rom 8:1,2; 1 Jn 1:9). Taking communion reminds us afresh of that colossal sacrifice and all-encompassing victory that we need to more fully comprehend and apply in our lives.

4/. Be determined and make the confession, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”, being confident He sees the potential of what we can become while unbelief and the deceitfulness of sin will rob us of fellowship with Him (Josh 24:15; Heb 3:13,15). Make all things serve your goal of coming into lasting and complete victory in Christ (Rom 5:3-5, 8:28). Don’t view the problems as negative influences trying to destroy you, instead see them as the means for our good. God allows them in order for us to enter into a new level of release from sin for His power is at work in us (Gen 50:20; Eph 3:20).

over 20 years (when leaving Egypt) perished because of their continual complaining and faithless, self-defeating, negative statements. In response to their “We can’t go in” God said, “I said I will do for you the very thing I heard you say” (Num 14:2,20-43, 26:64, 32:11-13; Deut 2:14,15)! Often our words have more effect that we realize so don’t be drawn into negative, complaining conversations; choose instead to “Be thankful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances”, thus expressing faith in our powerful God. This is how He intends for us to live (Prov 18:21; 1 Thes 5:16-18).

6/. A failing of humanity is to highlight the faults of others, while ignoring the glaring weaknesses in our own lives and comparing ourselves to others (Lk 6:41,42; 2 Cor 10:12). When we complain against our spiritual leaders or earthly bosses, we are in fact complaining against God.  He sets leaders over us and expects us to obey and submit to them, unless what they order contravenes a clear Bible command (Eph 6:5; Col 3:22; 1 Pet 2:13,14).

7/. Don’t forget the Lord’s rebukes and help in your life (Ex 17:14; Deut 4:9; Jos 10:14, 23:3). Like Samuel, remember ‘the way the Lord led us’ and His assistance (1 Sam 7:12). Journaling can assist us to accurately remember so we are less likely to make the same mistakes again; or you might create your own commemorative activities for significant events – like the Passover. 

8/. Like the Israelites any wrong choice we make can have a detrimental effect on our children – they or other people may be penalized for our mistakes (Num 14:18,33). Many situations can’t be reversed so the consequences must be lived with (Ex 20:5; 34:7). Moses exhorted the people to teach their children the ways of the Lord, as did Paul (Deut 6:7-9; Eph 6:4).

we are travelling – towards or away from God. He started a good work in us, and will bring it to completion as we submit and work together with Him, maintaining a good heart attitude, being sensitive to His voice, understanding the necessity of forgiveness and intentionally denying the old life, which Jesus termed as ‘taking up our cross’ (Prov 4:23; Mt 6:14,15; Mk 8:34; Jn 10:27; Phil 1:6).

10/. Although God provided a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide the Israelites, it would seem (by their attitude) that He allowed them to wander aimlessly, suggesting they were not highly motivated to enter into the land He had promised them (Ex 13:17,21,22; Num 9:15-23). In contrast, Paul was highly motivated and proactively stated, “I want to know Christ…Not that I have already obtained all this…but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 3:10-12). Which of these examples best represents me?

See also: armour/spiritual, Caleb, commandments, condemn, cross, daily walk, exodus, faith, Joshua, journaling, Moses, Passover, path, progress, Promised Land, put off/put on, speech, temptation, test/testing, thinking/thoughts, victory, wander.