Where are We Going?
The Bible reveals:
“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.”
For four hundred plus years the children of Israel prayed for God to deliver them from the bondage of Egypt. God answered their prayers and called Moses to confront Pharoah with the word from the Lord to let His people go. God judged Egypt, and in the end, the Egyptians let God’s people go. From the very beginning, God shared with the children of Israel that He desired to bring them into the “Promised Land.” The children of Israel were not confused about this promise from the Father. It was evident that God was keeping His Word sworn to their forefathers. God has made promises to us as well. He has heard our cry and seen our struggle. His promises to us are sure. We, too, are to enjoy the reality of a land promised to us. God has proclaimed that we are to enjoy the fruit of our faith in this life as well.
Like the children of Israel, everyone is excited about a promise that is a much-needed alternative to the life we have been living. The Israelites were excited about being freed from slavery in Egypt and the possibility of having a land of their own. The Bible describes this excitement this way: “The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.” There is one thing that we need to consider at this point. No Israelite had been in a battle for some four hundred years. It is possible to forget how to fight when this must time has passed. Surely they had forgotten about the combat strategy that is so important if they were to achieve victory. It is evident that God also considered this reality. The Lord pondered the possibility of war and concluded that the Israelites were not prepared. The Lord also reveals that not only were they not prepared, but that they might change their minds and return to Egypt if they encountered actual warfare. As a result of this possibility, the Lord decided to take them the long route through the desert. This way would ensure that they did not come in contact with an enemy.
A brief study of their pilgrimage through the desert teaches us a few things. First, the desert is the desert. It is not kind, but challenging. Desert experiences are meant to test anyone exposed to it. There is nothing exciting about the desert. The children of Israel confirmed this truth. They complained continuously about the conditions they now faced. They challenged Moses over and over again for the things they lacked in the desert. Be reminded that the desert is not a place of plenty. You don’t grow a garden in the desert. You don’t go swimming in the desert. Positive experiences are not the norm in the desert. Over and over again Moses appealed to the Lord on behalf of the people. They suffered greatly along the way. Under the negative conditions of the desert, they even begin to compare their desert experience to their experience in Egypt. Numerous times they concluded that they were better off in Egypt.
The greatest mistake the children of Israel made was to forget where they were going. Numerous times they belittled the promise of God concerning the promise land. Although they had not encountered a human enemy, the reality of being tested brought them to their knees. They became confused about who the real enemy was. It is possible for us to forget about the promises of God for our lives. Trials and hard conditions can interfere with our ability to stay focused. They got confused about the desert experience and compared it to their experience in Egypt. One thing we must realize is that every place that represents slavery and bondage is a desert. You cannot compare a desert to a desert and conclude that your experience in one desert is better than you experience in the other. You may also conclude that regardless of the road one takes; there will always be times of testing and hardship. Finally, it must be understood that no experience in the desert is worth forfeiting the promises of God. Some promises can only be appreciated as a result of a desert experience. May we always keep our focus on the promise. This is the only way we are assured we know where we are going!
In His Service,
Clarence V. Boyd, Jr.
Senior Pastor