What Can We Learn from the Wilderness Wanderings? Part 1

　　Many people have heard the story of Moses and how he led the Israelites from bondage out of the land of Egypt, how they were persecuted by the Egyptians, and their ultimate escape from Egypt, how God called Moses and told him what he and the children of Israel must do.

　　Although there are 40 chapters in the Book of Exodus, let us look at this book in a general sense as to what occurs within different sections. But then I want to focus on a couple of points and how they can and do apply to us today.

What Is the Significance of Wandering in the Wilderness?

　　We learn how Moses doubts God and himself in chapter four and what God does for him. In chapter five, Moses is sent to the Pharaoh, who refuses to listen, and in chapter six, the Israelites refuse to listen. In chapters seven through 10, we learn of the plagues that God delivers unto Egypt.

　　Chapters 11-13 record the death of the firstborn, the Passover, and the Israelites finally being able to leave Egypt. Victory from Pharaoh at the Red Sea is discussed in chapters 14 and 15.

　　In chapters 15-17, we learn of the grumblings and complaints about water and food. God gives Moses the Ten Commandments and the laws to govern the people in chapters 19- 23.

　　In chapters 24-27, the Tabernacle and its furnishings are discussed. The priesthood is established in chapters 28-30. Craftsmen are given skills in chapter 31, but then the breaking of the law and the golden calf occurs, and the Ten Commandments are broken in chapter 32.

　　The covenant is broken in 33, but Moses intercedes in 34, and a new set of Ten Commandments is written. Finally, in chapters 35-40, construction of the Tabernacle is started, the Ark is built, the priests’ garments are made, and Moses performs an inspection.

　　For our first point, we will focus on Exodus 3:1-12. In the latter half of chapter two, Moses killed an Egyptian that was beating upon a fellow Hebrew.

　　Fearing for his life, he fled to Midian. Now at the start of chapter three, we see that Moses was in the land of Midian tending to his father-in-law’s flock. He was leading “the flock to the backside of the desert and came to the mountain of God,” Horeb (v.1, KJV).

　　How wonderful it is to know that even in the most desolate place where we can find ourselves, God knows where we are. In verse two, an angel of the Lord appears in a flame of fire in the midst of a bush, but the bush did not burn. This sparks a curiosity in Moses.

　　He wants to see this miracle of God, yet at first, he did not know it was of God. Then he hears God’s voice call out to him. I wonder what it must have been like to hear God’s voice in an audible tone that my physical ears could hear.

　　But thankfully, I have and do hear His still, small voice speak to me. God tells Moses how He has seen the affliction of His people, how He has heard their cries, and that He knows of their sorrows.

　　He goes on to tell Moses how He has come down to deliver them out of the Egyptian hands and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey. God tells Moses that He will send him unto Pharaoh and that he will take the children of Israel out of Egypt.

　　At first, Moses doubts God by saying, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Then God gives him reassurance by saying, “Certainly, I will be with you” (Exodus 3:11-12).

How Does This Apply to Us Today?

　　Sometimes we are talking so much that we cannot hear God speak. Or maybe we do hear God speaking, but we are so caught up in something else that we cannot change our attitudes. Maybe, it is because people refuse to listen.

　　“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say” (John 8:43).

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　　Many prophets of the Old Testament told the Israelites to hear the Word of the Lord. And as we read the Old Testament, when the Israelites heeded the prophet’s call, listened, and obeyed, that is when they prospered.

　　Unfortunately, many times they did not listen, went about their own way, and suffered. Many people today do the same thing. God calls us, and either we open our ears and listen, do as He command, or we turn aside, stumble and fall. “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15).

　　Not necessarily with our physical ears but rather our spiritual ears. God is calling us to service, calling us to work, calling us for a purpose.

　　“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

　　But if we would do as He says. If only we would stop and listen. God does not speak to us in a language that we cannot understand.

　　Spiritually speaking, either our ears are clogged with trash because we have not washed them out on a regular basis; we have put headphones of the world on, listening to the world that we block out His voice, or we have become spiritually deaf.

　　Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me (Revelation 3:20).

　　Seven times in the Book of Revelation, John said, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22). Just as in the days of Moses, that bush still burns today. God still speaks today. God has not changed the message. He is still calling people to repentance and to service.

　　But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, (Proverbs 1:24).

What Does This Mean?

　　In the Book of John, Jesus spoke to the realm of death and called out Lazarus (John 11:43). In Luke, Jesus spoke to the widow’s son (Luke 7:14). In Mark, Jesus spoke to Darius’ daughter (Mark 5:41). Are we all so dead that we cannot hear?

　　How does the Lord need to call us for Christians to listen and answer His call, softly, in a whisper, or loud scream? Have we answered the call of salvation? Have we answered the call of sanctification? Do we need to answer the call of regeneration? Be still and listen to the Lord’s call.

　　For further reading:

　　What Can We Learn from the Israelites Wandering the Desert for 40 Years?

　　What Is the Significance of the Promised Land in the Bible?

　　Why Did Moses Remove His Shoes in Front of the Burning Bush?