Walking in the Wilderness

In my little “Daily Bible Reading Plan,” I’m reading in Numbers right now among others. The Israelites are making their way into the Promise Land finally after 40 years. On Sunday, we traveled to the Negev to see where Moses was wondering with his complaining companions for 40 years. When these connections happen, I like to dig into that a little bit to see if God wants me to focus in on this. It’s a good way of getting my attention. Some call it chance; some call it Divine providence. I like to think God is orchestrating all things in the universe to His good plan, even my life. But sometimes this is just coincidence.

While I was walking around in this huge, majestic canyon (with Ethiopians scaling the mountain with no concern for human life, theirs or mine), I began to think about the wilderness of obedience. Moses is out wandering for 40 years in obedience to the Lord. Now I’ve only lived half of that. But that seems like a pretty long time to be in the desert and to not know where to go. The desert is pretty hot and we were there in the winter- very uncomfortable.

In Numbers 10, Moses speaks to his father-in-law, who wants to leave the camp for his own land. Moses entreats him, “Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel.” His father-in-law, Hobab, basically said thanks, but no thanks. He’s been waiting and he hasn’t seen this good promised. He’s had enough. This narrative displays the two attitudes we can have when suffering; and two I could imagine while wandering in this short wilderness myself. Right after this conversation, it says, “… the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days’ journey, to seek our a resting place for them. And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp” (34-35). The Israelites had a cloud covering them from the heat. They had the guidance and safety of the Lord. They ate manna from heaven- all things to be thankful for in these less-than-ideal circumstances. Things stunk, but they could have been a lot worse. Moses takes this route: “… the Lord has promised good to Israel.” The Lord says in the next chapter, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not” (11. 23). Not to ruin the story, but it comes true. (It being feeding the people meat). Hobab just saw the frustration of not being “comfortable.” Of not having everything he wanted. Getting everything we want is the biggest danger God could do for us. He disciplines those he loves (Hebrew 12.6). It shows he cares. The American church (and me in particular) is in danger of getting everything we want. I begin to trust in the gifts, rather than the giver.

The same could be said of these unbelievable views in the wilderness. They could see it and give thanks to the Creator God for the experience; or they could get angry and frustrated that they have to climb out of another canyon. They could see the super bowl and think, “How the heck are we getting past this?” Or they can stop and see the majesty of it. They can see the gift as precious or as a burden. I tend to be more of a realist (some may say pessimist), but I pray for the vision to suffer well and to see the gifts of grace in bad circumstances. I think that’s what made Moses an effective leader and an effective intercessor with God for the people. It made the 40 years bearable. He was able to experience more of God- the main goal of life and especially “wilderness”- whatever the sort.

Desiring more of God in the Wilderness,

Sos