Brother W. F. Barling writes about the “Exodus” in his book “Law and Grace: “Separating the Land of Bondage behind them from the Land of Promise ahead of them, lay the wilderness with its rigors and privations. This they had to traverse if their redemption was to reach completion.” This is the state of all believers. We have been called out of bondage in this world of sin and are living in hope of the kingdom set before us. Do we try to cushion the wilderness we are in with too many comforts of the outside world, such as television, luxurious homes and furnishings, or a time-consuming occupation that leaves no time for the gathering of “manna,” the bread of life that can be found only in the Scriptures? We should be more concerned with following God than seeking natural wants, for God will provide our daily needs. Do we fail to take in the life-giving water or words of the Book ? Are we deeply rooted in the Word of God that our “leaf does not wither?”
We can draw several examples from the travels of the Israelites through the wilderness that may be of help to us in avoiding the mistakes they made. As they are led by Moses, baptized in the Red Sea, given a law, and made God’s people, so are these things done for us by Jesus. They were completely dependent on the cloud that led them. Trials were given to prove them. The lesson for them and for us is that if we trust in God there is nothing to fear. The journey was in many respects quite monotonous. They encamped and departed so many times that we can become tired by just reading about it in Numbers 33. So, too, is our daily routine monotonous. Each time the people complained, Moses made it a matter of prayer. Let us try to turn to prayer, too, when we are in a complaining mood.
We recall the battle with the people of Amalek where Moses held up his hands and Israel prevailed, but the drooping of his hands indicated the weakness of the flesh. In Hebrews 12:12 we are invited to lift up our drooping hands, and this we can do when we turn to God in prayer and faith, and are strengthened for life’s journey. At Mt. Sinai Moses was given laws that revealed the manner in which the Israelites were to approach God in worship. They were also instructed to keep separate from the surrounding nations. It is most important for us also to keep separate. We must not be so involved with the world that we must be seized by an angel’s hand and led out as was Lot and his family. We must not cease to be vexed with the world.
In the tabernacle the divine light of God shown from above the mercy seat. We have been called to the Truth that we might reveal God’s ways. As Jesus was a light shining in the darkness, we should be as the stars shining out from the darkness about us, holding forth the word of life. Seven times Moses was commanded to make all things for the tabernacle according to the pattern given him in the mount. We are taught as the Israelites were that it is not enough that we desire to worship God, we must worship Him in the manner that He desires.
In reading of their wilderness sojourn, we are struck by their downward course that was brought on by their grumbling and complaining. They first became discontented with their lot, and became desirous of obtaining things they had left behind in Egypt. They ended up despising God and speaking against His servants Moses and Aaron, provoking, tempting, doubting Him. Finally they were led to open rebellion and idol worship, and this all started with their grumbling. Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:11: ” . . . I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” is most necessary.
As we read through Exodus to the end of Deuteronomy let us be on the lookout for examples that help us to avoid their mistakes. A word to the wise is sufficient, and we must be “wise as serpents” if we would be among those of whom Christ says: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One