Bible Reading Blog
“A Necessary Part of the Journey”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Deuteronomy 1-3
38 years in the wilderness must have felt like eternity (Deuteronomy 2.14). An entire generation was dead as God had promised for their unbelief (Deuteronomy 2.14b-16) and a new generation was once again on the cusp of the Promised Land. They faced the same ‘giants’ as before (Numbers 13.28-29; 21.13, 21), and with the same command from God: “Go take the land I am giving you” (Deuteronomy 1.21; 2.24).
A large portion of this generation was born in the wilderness. Many had not experienced the plagues or the Red Sea. But they had been fed day by day with manna. They had seen water come from a rock. They had seen YHWH’s judgment on the previous generation until they were no more. Moses was still at the helm, but even he would not go with them (Numbers 20.13; Deuteronomy 3.23-27). As he guided them forward, he recounted this history in the wilderness. His admonitions echoed the powerful necessity of obedience and trust.
It is obvious the wilderness was an intentional part of YHWH’s salvation. It was a place away from Israel’s past. It was a place away from their enemies. It was a place away from the comforts that so easily enticed them. It was a place that minimized distractions and allowed them to see YHWH. It was a place to learn that freedom is from God and with God. The wilderness was a place to see themselves differently because of the presence of YHWH among them.
This generation was far from perfect, but they were impacted by the wilderness. As they begin their foray towards the Promised Land it is evident they learned how to go where YHWH led them. Of course, many of them had never known anything different. Perhaps that was the grace of God preparing them for the conquest. Whatever the case, as they left this wilderness they were committed to the direction of YHWH (Numbers 21.2).
We naturally tend to treat ‘wilderness years’ like the first generation. We wonder ‘weren’t things better before?’ and we long for the comfortable, or at least the controllable. But that is not from wisdom or faith (Ecclesiastes 7.10). The wilderness is an intentional part of the journey. God has always allowed people of faith to endure trials for their perfection (James 1.2-4; 1 Peter 4.12-19). He sometimes removes our treasured possessions and relationships to impact our future. He sometimes leads us through seasons of suffering to increase our trust. The wilderness prepares us to be God’s people as we travel towards God’s place. This is why complaining is such an affront to God. It assumes God is lacking in his vision for our lives. It devalues his power, provisions and promises. Complaining ignores the realities of a better future that can only be achieved through suffering.
We must not coddle each other when struggles come but rejoice and encourage one another to endure, like Jesus. We must embrace the wilderness as a necessary part of the journey that is preparing us to receive the promises of God. And with this thought we can live with confidence in the direction of God in the present.
