Israel’s Wilderness Journey: What It Means To Us Today
Exodus 13
KJV
17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Yes, the promised land was a few miles away, just a stone’s throw as we would say it in today’s language, and yet Israel was taken through a different route.
The reason was given as “ Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:”
Oh, God’s intention or reason for taking them the other way was to teach them lessons! Lessons they’ll need as they settle in the land.
Perhaps you may not understand God's intention. Look at it this way: Historically, Israel ( Jacob) came to Egypt at Joseph's invitation!
History gives us the number that came with him. There were in total seventy.
Genesis 46
KJV
26 All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, which came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were threescore and six;
27+ And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, were two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, were threescore and ten.
But after many years when they were leaving Egypt scriptures state the following;
Deuteronomy 10
KJV
22+ Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the Lord thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.
Exodus 12
KJV
37+ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
Seventy (70) went in, six hundred thousand (600,000) came out excluding children. A nation was born.
A nation was born, organization was needed. Laws ( a constitution) to regulate and hold the nation were needed. Structures and institutional arrangements are needed.
These were the reasons why they were taken through the long route to enable them to learn the lessons of nationhood! Hitherto they were a disorganized clan groupings with no cohesion.
What do we stand to learn from these experiences? A lot.
Individually we need to know that though God has plans for our lives these will not materialise if He does not first take us through some rigorous training.
Ask anybody who is “ well to do “today and he/she will tell you how far he/she has come. The ups and downs, the rise and fall, the pains and the sufferings. The disappointments and regrets.
Beloved, God will not give you precious things if you fail His training. If you’ve not learn how to handle GHC10, He will not give you GHC 100
Is this not what Jesus meant when He said;
Luke 16:10-12
NIV
[10] “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
[11] So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? [12] And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?
Many a child of God has asked why they are going through difficulties in life when they ought to be enjoying! What you’ve just read is the answer. You are simply not faithful in the little blessings He bestowed on you. Yes, the truth is painful but that is it.
Just look at how employees handle the properties of their employers. Just watch how people entrusted with little authority exercise it.
Just look at how some tenants handle the rooms they rent. Just watch how some taxi drivers handle the taxis they are given to drive. You’ll often hear them say “ oh if I buy my own you’ll see how I’ll handle it” which wish never comes because they are dishonest with someone else’s. Yes.
Do you now see why some are unable to make progress in life? Because they fail the training lessons of God. The little blessings God blessed them with were either misapplied or misused.
The subject paper in which most believers had zero was that of benevolence. They passed papers in church attendance, taking the Lord's Supper, not giving tithes, not using instruments in singing, you name it!
They failed miserably in the benevolence papers. They failed in both papers one and two. Paper one they had -selfishness, paper two -selfishness These were written across their answer sheets.
Here is what was written boldly underneath their papers as the answers expected; read it.
Proverbs 11
KJV
24+ There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26+ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
Some gave up on the training. To them, the envisaged training is too tough so they did not attempt it at all. The one talented man was their role model so they had nothing to their credit.
Others attempted but failed because they misused their first credit (blessing) through selfishness! Remember what Jesus said
Luke 16:10
NIV
[10] “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
So, the lesson is this God takes us through the “ wilderness “ of pain/suffering etc to see how we would use whatever He will bestow on us.
Not many were born with silver spoons in their mouths; you may be one but today look at the type of spoon that is in your mouth! Is it silver, wooden or none
Those born without silver spoons in their mouths but now have them are those who passed the test of honesty, faithfulness. Etc. They were faithful in little hence they were blessed with more.
Always remember that when God takes you through the “wilderness” it was to prepare you for a better future! So do not be afraid to go through the wilderness. Let me conclude with this promise!
Jeremiah 29
KJV
11+ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Trust God to take you through the wilderness safely till you set foot in the promised land of greatness and glory.
My take.