(Deuteronomy 1:6-8)
“6 The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negev and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them.’ ”
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Prior to GOD’s command of the purge in Deuteronomy 13:5 (and beyond) was GOD’s command for the Israelites to set their journey and go. Chronologically, the book of Numbers precedes the book of Deuteronomy. Numbers covered about 39 years of the Israelites’ existence while they wandered in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The book of Numbers is essentially the documented events of Israel’s faithlessness and rebellion in stark contrast to GOD’s love and faithfulness. The book can be summed up from Numbers 14:18: “The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression.”
The book of Numbers could have been called “The Book of Grumblers” due to the Israelites’ consistent theme of discontentment and complaints. The faith in GOD which took them out of Egypt — through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea — eventually evaporated as they began to experience the hardship of the desolate desert life. Because of their disobedience, a relatively short distance of about 350km/220 miles turned into a lifetime’s journey. What should have taken the Israelites no longer than two weeks to travel, took them 40 years! But it was not the physical distance that prevented the Israelites from entering the Promised Land during that period of time; rather, it was the condition of their hardened hearts and the spiritual distance between their obedience and GOD’s will.
At first, the Israelites were overtaken by nostalgia, worry, doubt, and fear — they longed to be back in Egypt where they considered themselves to be ‘safe’ and ‘comfortable.’ R.A. Cole once said, “They were a slave people, still with the minds of slaves, even if GOD had set them free.” And that much is evident in Exodus 16:3 when the Israelites said, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
After all of the amazing miracles GOD performed to get the Israelites out of Egypt, out of slavery and oppression, they still complained and wished they were back in Egypt as slaves! Truly, this is an example of the dog going back to its vomit (Proverbs 26:11; 2Peter 2:20-22). Ask yourself: would you have complained if you saw all of those miracles — especially the parting of the Red Sea? Well, I definitely would not have been so faithless! No way! The excitement within my soul wouldn’t have allowed me to complain after witnessing such amazing events unfold before my very own eyes! Or at least… that’s what I believe about myself. But how would I know unless I experienced what they experienced? It’s easy to proudly proclaim what you believe you would do in their shoes, but it’s quite a different story if you were actually those people at that time. Life is difficult — especially with periods of silence and drought. Do you struggle during the times when GOD seems silent? Do you ever find yourself asking GOD the following questions: “Why am I here?”, or “How much longer?”, or “What do you want me to do?”, or “Which direction do you want me to go?”, or “GOD, why aren’t you answering me?”?
If we’re honest with ourselves, we can admit that the times of silence are difficult to endure. Why do you think it is that silence makes us so uncomfortable? Perhaps it is because we are designed to be in communication with GOD. The Israelites experienced two tests in a row as soon as they were led out of Egypt. Why? As we learned from the “Roots For The Storm” Picture Scripture, we need a faith with deep roots if we are to ever overcome adversity (Matthew 13:1-9,18-23; Mark 4:1-9,13-20). So, do you have deep roots?
In a moment of weakness and desperation, the Israelites decided that they would rather still be slaves than to travel with the presence of GOD into the unknown. They desired the quickest way of escape from pain and suffering. They decided that they would rather give up, press the “go back” button and prematurely abort their blessings than to walk in faith and believe that GOD had a good plan for their lives.
GOD’s Word gives us this wisdom: never go back unless GOD instructs you to do otherwise (as He did with Moses in Exodus 4:19)! It’s always easier to go back to what is known, comfortable, and seems easier — even if it’s not what’s best and right. Don’t ever go back to your past. I assure you there’s nothing there; it’s gone. Instead, we must live in the present with the future in mind.
When pressure comes your way, resist the temptation to make a quick escape. Instead, as Peter said, cast all your anxiety on the Lord, because He cares for you (1Peter 5:7). And Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
GOD said that He was going to test the Israelites to see if they would live life in obedience to His good and perfectly loving will. The journey they were on was their time in school. School isn’t just about studying and homework, there are also quizzes involved as well. GOD’s purpose had depth beyond the surface (as it always does). GOD’s purpose wasn’t to merely transport the Israelites someplace else so they could live in the same chains of bondage in a new location; rather, He was preparing them to live in obedience to Him once they arrived so they could live in true freedom. What good would it have been for them to arrive in the Promised Land if they were only going to live with their old slave mentality and destroy everything they had been given? And whether you realize it or not, that message applies to us today just as much as it did for the Israelites at that time. Do you not realize that the real Promised Land is the New Earth under the new heavens in the life to come (Isaiah 65-66; 2Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21-22)? We are still wandering in the wilderness of the world, trusting the Lord until we arrive to the true Promised Land. Yet so many of us still live with a slavery mentality. And GOD needs to work this out of us to prepare us for the real Promised Land He has prepared for us (John 14:1-3).
In John 8:34-36, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
Understand this: slavery is real and it has nothing to do with your physical appearance. Satan doesn’t care about your skin color – the evil one only cares about your current direction and final destination. That which you cannot walk away from has ownership over you. If you are unable to release your hatred toward others, you are a slave to sin (1John 3:15). If you are incapable of walking away from drugs or alcohol, you are a slave to those desires. If you are unable to walk away from something seemingly insignificant such as a cigarette, you are a slave to that desire. There exists many slaves in this present day of which we all live: people are slaves to anger, pride, jealousy, pornography, greed, gambling, promiscuity, alcohol, drugs, and many other things. Indeed, slavery does exist; however, the people in bondage have usually enslaved themselves by willingly pursuing that which they should never have pursued.
What have you allowed in your life that has enslaved you? Is there a pile of vomit you keep returning to? What is keeping your full potential locked up in prison? I don’t have the key to your freedom, but I know the One who possesses that key and I can guide you to Him, for He is the One who set me free. If you want to receive that key and your freedom, it can be found just two verses prior to the profound statement of slavery we already discussed. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
The Israelites who wandered in the wilderness resorted to grumbling and complaining over and over again. Granted, they were wandering through an infertile, desolate, and barren place with harsh environment, but they were no longer slaves! They were free! And too often we do the same thing! We travel through life, living as a slave to sin when we have already been set free! The apostle Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 10:1-12 that everything about the Israelites had been written so that we could learn from their mistakes and not live out those same mistakes! How much time do you spend on complaining about your problem(s) rather than praying about a solution? (Conviction hit me hard even as the Holy Spirit led me to write that last sentence!)
A person often gets identified with his/her flaws or problems. Take for example, “blind Bartimaeus” of Mark 10:46-52. Why is he known as “blind” Bartimaeus? Jesus healed him and gave him sight! He should never be addressed as “blind” again! Likewise, another man proclaimed in John 9:25, “I was blind, now I see.” And so if Jesus has set us free, we should no longer be associated to what held us in bondage because we are free indeed (John 8:36)! As if the chains of sin aren’t enough bondage already, people often stamp the person in bondage with a label of “failure” or “rejection” and then place him/her in front of a broken or funhouse mirror so he/she sees a distorted and inaccurate image of him/herself.
This is worth repeating: that which you cannot walk away from has ownership over you; consequently, you are a slave to the desires you are unable to release. Do you want to be a slave to sin? You don’t have to be a slave. You are not defined by your problems and you can break free from the chains of bondage! Demons will often tell you that you’re worthless, you will always be the way you are, you’re not good enough and won’t ever achieve anything better. Understand this: Satan and other demons always cover over the Truth with layers of lies in order to alter Truth, but they always use the Truth so that the lies appear to be true. The truth is that none of us are good enough to earn salvation by our own efforts (Romans 3:10-12,23; 6:23); however, it is also true that in Christ we no longer have to remain in bondage to sin (Romans 6:6,18)! The truth is that you’re of such value to the Lord that He willingly sacrificed Himself on your behalf even though you were a slave to sin (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8). The truth is that you will not always be the way you once were because once you are in Christ you are a new creation (Romans 13:14; 2Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10)!
Remember what was written in Deuteronomy 1:6-7 when the Lord spoke to the wandering Israelites: “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn and set your journey, and go…”
So, let’s examine that Scripture and reprioritize our focus on what truly matters.
GOD said, “You have stayed long enough.” Do you agree? How long has it been? When are you going to say enough is enough and boldly declare that your life is going to change for the better so that you may attain your full potential?
GOD said, “…at this mountain.” The Israelites had a mountain. Don’t we all have intimidating mountains in our lives? Something that seems like we’ll never pass over or even get around? What is your mountain? Why do you believe you have stayed there so long? It’s time to leave that mountain! You have stayed at that mountain long enough!
GOD said, “Turn.” The word “turn” is the English translation of the Hebrew word פָּנָה [H6437] pānâh (paw-naw’). Most occurrences of this verb carry the sense as to turn in another direction. Pānâh can also mean to turn so as to face or look at someone. In this context, the Israelites were to turn away from everything that distracted them from GOD and to look to GOD for their guidance. In other words, to turn is to repent. To repent, we must make an about-face and turn to GOD rather than what we had been placing our focus on. Turn around. Go the other direction. Turn away from the direction your flesh desires to travel and go the way GOD wants you to go.
GOD said, “…and set your journey.” This phrase comes from the Hebrew word נָסַע [H5265] nāsah (naw-sah’). This word is probably the most common term in the Old Testament referring to the movement of clans and tribes. This word has the basic meaning of “pulling up” tent pegs (Isaiah 33:20) in preparation for moving one’s tent and property to another place. In other words, GOD essentially said, “Do not establish roots here. This place is not your home. Set your coordinates for your final destination point.”
So, where is our final destination point? Well, it should be on the New Earth under the new heavens with the Lord. Jesus said that we are not of the world even as He is not of the world (John 17:16). But how do we get to our final destination point? By knowing GOD’s Word and actually living out GOD’s Word in obedience. When we know GOD’s Word and faithfully live out the Word in obedience, our Christ-compass will guide us and direct us like a GPS navigation system: “Recalculating.” It is written in Matthew 6:33 that we need to seek first the Kingdom of GOD and then everything else will be given to us. Are you seeking first the Kingdom of GOD or do you keep chasing your own wants and desires only to end up back at the same mountain, wandering around the wilderness like the Israelites? If you have roots in this world, its time to uproot and set your journey to the New Earth under the new heavens.
And finally, GOD said, “…and go.” It’s time for action. Knowledge without application is a buried treasure that is good for nothing. Simply knowing GOD’s Word won’t do you any good if you don’t actually live it out (Matthew 7:24-25; Luke 6:46; John 13:17; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25). The Israelites knew what was right, but they continually failed to do what was right.
Are you ready to set your coordinates and travel toward the real Promised Land? Right now, the GPS navigation system which is equipped with the never-compromising-Christ-compass is saying, “Recalculating.” But are you going to listen to the direction or are you so stubborn that you’re going to keep trying to do your own thing and find your own way? You’re in the driver’s seat of your vehicle. You’re in a roundabout. This is your opportunity. Are you going to take the exit and follow GOD’s directions or are you going to drive around in another circle?
The Artist J:
A GPS is programmed to lead you to your destination with the shortest possible route, and even if you get off track, or miss a turn, it recalculates to the quickest way to put you back in the right direction to where you’re going.
Israel during the time of the exodus from Egypt, in a since, lost track of their intended destination by always complaining, and wanting to go back into slavery in Egypt, because of hardships they were experiencing at the moment. God had given Israel a clear direction to a land that He had promised to them.
(Deuteronomy 1:21)
“See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Yet a lack of faith and a desire to go backwards ended up costing them a forty year “recalculated” detour. This detour was called the wilderness. A type of pre-Christ sanctification progress that was weeding out the old wicked part of Israel from the new generation of Israel who would enter in to God’s promise.
The Israelites in the wilderness let their unpleasant circumstances steal their peace and joy from the fact that God had just freed them from slavery. So instead of being thankful and praising God by remembering what He had just done for them, they grumbled and complained at the present inconveniences.
This is an ongoing battle that Christians must war against as well. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
These verses are basically saying that those who follow Christ are that second generation of Israelites who God is allowing to enter into the promised land, which in our case is the “New Earth”.
So right now, we must walk without blemish in the “midst of a crooked and twisted generation”, a generation like the first Israelites of the exodus who were now appointed to die by God in the wilderness. John 3:18 says, ”Whoever believes in Him [Jesus] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Just like those first generation of Israelites in the wilderness.
James 5 likewise talks about being patient and waiting upon the Lord, not grumbling to one another.
So when difficult times come our way, do not let the hard circumstances steal your peace and joy that is from the Lord.
Circumstances come and go but peace and joy come from God, and God is steady, unmoving and immutable. That means HE NEVER CHANGES. If you’re getting your joy and peace from God then that means all you have to do is keep focusing on Him and you have an endless supply of it!
Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things for good, to those that LOVE HIM, and are called according to His purposes. He’s working things for good, even if while He is sanctifying you in the wilderness and it doesn’t quite feel like it. He is still working it for good.
Jesus Himself said not to worry about tomorrow, cause tomorrow will have enough worries for itself (Matthew 6:34). Our job is focus on the Lord today.
God knows the future, He sees beyond your present circumstances and already knows the outcome. We are not like God, we can’t see what tomorrow holds, so all we just have to do is trust Christ to supply our needs for today.
When the Israelites started to complain against Moses, God gave them manna, a food from heaven that was able to sustain only for a single day in the wilderness. God gave them only enough manna for that specific day. Likewise Christ gives us grace and mercy each new day. Just enough for that day. He will have a new supply ready for tomorrow’s day. So take that to heart, trust God and let tomorrow worry about itself, and don’t complain. Instead, trust in God and follow where He leads you.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness God sent a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them on their way. Even now He promises to do just that if we do as Proverbs 3:5-6 says and “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your PATHS straight.”
Jeremiah 10:23 says “I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” Our job is to trust where God leads us, not worrying but praying about everything, making our request known to God and the Holy Spirit will be that internal GPS that will always guide us to Jesus. If we do fall off the path for a moment or take a wrong turn, the Holy Spirit that we were sealed with when we believed on Christ will basically say, “Recalculating. Finding the nearest path back to Jesus. Take this narrow road for…ever.”
Lastly the Israelites were to enter in to the promised land of God. Psalm 37:3 says “Trust in the Lord and do good, DWELL IN THE LAND and feed on His faithfulness.” What was the land that the psalmist in this verse was referring too? It was the same land God had “PROMISED” to the Israelites in exodus only generations later. They were now in the land God had promised and were to dwell in it and thank God for His faithfulness. Dwelling in the promise of God!
God has given us also, a whole book full of promises from God. So we could read this verse as “Trust in the Lord and do good, DWELL IN THE PROMISES OF GOD and feed on His faithfulness!” If there were ever a way to get out of a spiritual wilderness, it’s dwelling on the promises of God!
There’s nothing better you could possibly do than that. For the same God who created the heavens and the earth by His great power and outstretched arm, NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR HIM! God is always faithful, the very nature of who He is demands it of Him. God cannot be unfaithful, so when God promised us as Christians that He has washed away our sin by the blood of Jesus Christ when we believed, and is sending Jesus back for us to live with Him for all eternity on a new earth, then we can REST (literally) assured that He will be faithful to keep this promise. So dwell on that and feed on the Lord’s faithfulness!
Quest For Truth 