Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting . . Numbers 1:1
The book labeled “Numbers” in our Bible has a couple different names in Hebrew. The most common Hebrew name is “bemidbar” which means “in the wilderness.” “In the wilderness” is a much more befitting title because the wilderness wanderings of the nation of Israel are a picture of our Christian lives – individually and collectively.
God delivered His people Israel from the oppression of the enemy (Egypt). They spent the first year learning God’s covenant with them (the Law) and building the tabernacle. After that time of preparation, God organized this rabble of a nation into a community – a people of God – the army of the Lord. God commanded a census . . . to form a military roster. He called out leaders and assigned placement (within the body), and He assigned a marching order.
All that in just the first 4 chapters of “Numbers.” The next 6 chapters are about personal purity and then . . . the journey “in the wilderness” begins. Their journey was filled with complaining . . . and correction. Their journey was filled with rebellion . . . and redemption.
Our Christian life begins when God delivers us, like He did the Israelites, from the oppression of the enemy. We spend some time learning God’s covenant with us (His Word) and building His dwelling place in our heart (that is what the Tabernacle symbolizes). After that time of preparation, then God calls us into the community – the people of God – the army of the Lord. And God assigns us a placement in the body of Christ. He assigns us marching orders.
Personal purity is important to God. We must keep ourselves undefiled, set apart for Him, as we begin our journey “in the wilderness.” Our journey is filled with complaining . . . and correction. Our journey is filled with rebellion . . . and redemption. All this is the stuff of life “in the wilderness.”
God marched the army of Israel to the border of the Promised Land. But there were giants in the land and battles to be fought. They had a decision to make. Would they follow God into battle or stay “in the wilderness?”
You and I have that same decision to make. Will we join the army of the Lord and follow God into battle? Or will with continue to wander around “in the wilderness?”