The Wilderness and Israel: God Had a Better Life in Mind
by Owen Borville
The Israelites were living in Egypt in Goshen, working for Pharaoh. They were treated well under the Pharaoh during Joseph's time, but after Joseph died, a new Pharaoh came to power that was not friendly to the Israelites in Egypt. Israelites were growing rapidly and succeeding in Egypt and the Egyptians became jealous and threatened by them. The Israelites' workload was increased by Pharaoh to the point that it became harsh.
God called Moses, an Israelite living in Egypt to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and back to their ancestral homeland in Canaan. God instructed Moses, along with his assistant and brother Aaron, to ask Pharaoh to allow the Israelites time off to pray in the wilderness. Pharaoh refused and called them lazy, while harshly increasing their workload. Finally, God miraculously led the Israelites to flee out of Egypt and to cross the Red Sea on dry land, miraculously parting the waters with a strong wind. As the Pharaoh's army chased after them, the waters were returned and the Egyptians drowned in the sea. God miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt safely while punishing the Egyptians.
As God led the Israelites to travel from the Red Sea through the desert wilderness and toward their ancestral homeland in Canaan, there were many struggles. The Israelites were unsure of their future and God tested their faith. They asked what shall we eat and what shall we drink? God provided food in the form of Manna and quail and water. However, the Israelites still complained of their situation. Some even wanted to go back to Egypt rather than die in the wilderness. Some Israelites rebelled against God and were punished. Because of their doubting and unfaithfulness, God kept them in the Wilderness for 40 years until they finally reached their ancestral homeland in Canaan. God had a better life in mind for the Israelites even though the Israelites could not see it at the time. Those Israelites that remained faithful were rewarded by returning to their homeland in Canaan.
The lesson about the wilderness is that God was testing his people's faith. If they would just trust God, their prayers would be answered and they would be rewarded by a better life in their homeland. This lesson can be applied to followers of the Lord around the world today. Trust in God and don't worry about your situation and you will be fine. Is your life situation not ideal or not as you desire? Be patient, trust in God and your faith will be rewarded in the future. You will be blessed abundantly by following and trusting the Lord. Even Jesus was tested in the wilderness and remained faithful despite being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and was in a spiritual battle with Satan to remain faithful to his mission. Just as the Israelites were tested in the wilderness, Jesus, the Savior of Israel and the World was tested in the wilderness and remained faithful.
by Owen Borville
The Israelites were living in Egypt in Goshen, working for Pharaoh. They were treated well under the Pharaoh during Joseph's time, but after Joseph died, a new Pharaoh came to power that was not friendly to the Israelites in Egypt. Israelites were growing rapidly and succeeding in Egypt and the Egyptians became jealous and threatened by them. The Israelites' workload was increased by Pharaoh to the point that it became harsh.
God called Moses, an Israelite living in Egypt to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and back to their ancestral homeland in Canaan. God instructed Moses, along with his assistant and brother Aaron, to ask Pharaoh to allow the Israelites time off to pray in the wilderness. Pharaoh refused and called them lazy, while harshly increasing their workload. Finally, God miraculously led the Israelites to flee out of Egypt and to cross the Red Sea on dry land, miraculously parting the waters with a strong wind. As the Pharaoh's army chased after them, the waters were returned and the Egyptians drowned in the sea. God miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt safely while punishing the Egyptians.
As God led the Israelites to travel from the Red Sea through the desert wilderness and toward their ancestral homeland in Canaan, there were many struggles. The Israelites were unsure of their future and God tested their faith. They asked what shall we eat and what shall we drink? God provided food in the form of Manna and quail and water. However, the Israelites still complained of their situation. Some even wanted to go back to Egypt rather than die in the wilderness. Some Israelites rebelled against God and were punished. Because of their doubting and unfaithfulness, God kept them in the Wilderness for 40 years until they finally reached their ancestral homeland in Canaan. God had a better life in mind for the Israelites even though the Israelites could not see it at the time. Those Israelites that remained faithful were rewarded by returning to their homeland in Canaan.
The lesson about the wilderness is that God was testing his people's faith. If they would just trust God, their prayers would be answered and they would be rewarded by a better life in their homeland. This lesson can be applied to followers of the Lord around the world today. Trust in God and don't worry about your situation and you will be fine. Is your life situation not ideal or not as you desire? Be patient, trust in God and your faith will be rewarded in the future. You will be blessed abundantly by following and trusting the Lord. Even Jesus was tested in the wilderness and remained faithful despite being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and was in a spiritual battle with Satan to remain faithful to his mission. Just as the Israelites were tested in the wilderness, Jesus, the Savior of Israel and the World was tested in the wilderness and remained faithful.
