Why Am I in the Wilderness?
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: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. Exodus 13:17-18
In reading the Word of God, there are often questions that come to mind as to the plans and purposes of God. We know that God’s way is perfect (Psalm 18:30) whether we understand it or not (Isaiah 55:8, 9). The question answered in the text relates to why God chose the way of the wilderness as the route for the children to take to the Promised Land. It would have been much shorter to move along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the potential for supplies like food, water and shelter would have been much greater. So why did God lead them through the wilderness? Is it possible that God had some special lessons for the children of Israel to learn that they would have missed by going the quicker route?
First, the children of Israel would have gone into Philistine territory. Though unprepared, they would have faced certain war. This would have caused most of them to want to turn back to Egypt.
Second, God wanted them to be dependent on Him. In Egypt, as hard working slaves, they would have had little time for God. They needed to know Him and to develop a firm reliance on Him. Even though God allowed them to be in Egypt in order to develop them into a great nation, there were many of them who felt that God had let them down. While there, they grew from a group of a little over seventy to over two million people. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation.
Third, God wanted to humble His people (Deuteronomy 8:20). They had seen God work on their behalf in the plagues upon Egypt. In the wilderness, they learned to depend on God for food and water. God had led them by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21) and came to their rescue when they faced danger.
Fourth, Deuteronomy 8:2 states “to know what was in their hearts,” whether or not they would follow Him and keep His commandments. None of us really know how weak and sinful we are until we are faced with temptation. The children of Israel had to learn that they could not do it on their own. Jesus tells us, Without Me ye can do nothing (John 15:5). So why do we so often think we can do it all on our own? The children of Israel rebelled against God’s way and ended up wandering in the desert for forty years when the journey to the Promised Land was only an eleven day trip.
Fifth, Deuteronomy 8:3 states that He humbled them and let them be hungry. They may not have known hunger in Egypt. Numbers 11:5 states that at times of rebellion, they remembered the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic they did eat freely in Egypt. Now God had placed them into circumstances in which hunger and suffering was inevitable. There is a greater hunger that ought to be ours and that is the hunger of a greater relationship with the living God. Jesus said, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15). God wanted them to seek after Him and when they did, He saw to it that their needs were met.
Sixth, God wanted the other nations to know that He was God, that there was none else. What He would do on behalf of His people demonstrated that Israel’s God is God.
God does not promise any of us an easy life, but He does promise His presence in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, even in the wilderness. Like Israel of old, He wants us to be a willing showcase for His glory. No, we will not have to cross the Red Sea or bring down he walls of Jericho. Do you remember singing in church this song – Where He leads me I will follow. We need to be willing to follow Him no matter where He chooses to lead us. No matter what path He chooses, the more we trust Him, the more we will recognize His presence on that path. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name (Psalm 86:11).
Point of Interest
Deuteronomy ends with Moses blessing God’s people. Happy (blessed) art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:29a). Then it appears that David picks up where Moses left off. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1). Jesus then continued to reveal what it is that would make all those who follow Him a blessed (happy) people in His first public discourse in Matthew 5:3-11. You know them as the Beatitudes.
George Stiekes is a retired pastor. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.