The Israelites’ learning experience in the wilderness never set an example of how to make changes. After traveling all this way to the edge of the promised land, they had had enough of their journey through the wilderness. Their attitude reminds us of children on a trip who continually ask, “Are we there yet?” only to be disappointed when they do arrive.
A disastrous wilderness experience
All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!” Numbers 14:2
When the nation of Israel heard the adverse report, they lamented they should have died back in Egypt or along the journey. So instead of listening to the good report of Caleb and Joshua, they would have preferred to travel back to Egypt than to cross over into their promised land.
The wilderness or the promised land?
In the morning, however, they rose up early and went up to the ridge of the hill country, saying, “Here we are; we have indeed sinned, but we will go up to the place which the Lord has promised.” But Moses said, “Why then are you transgressing the commandment of the Lord, when it will not succeed?” Numbers 14:40-41
The promised land was nearly in the Israelites’ grasp. Even though they owned up to their disobedience, they weren’t fully on board for God’s best. They decided to try to do things their way. Moses warned the people who decided to go against the commandment of the Lord they would not succeed. We must make the time and effort to follow the leading of God in whatever undertaking we strive for; otherwise, we will not achieve success.
The Israelites’ lack of learning experience in the wilderness cost them dearly. They thought they could do it on their own, and they failed miserably. The Israelites who decided to enter the promised land without the leadership of Moses or the protection of God paid the price for not believing in God or listening to His messenger Moses. They were routed. They heedlessly lost lives that could have been saved altogether if they had made wise decisions. Selfish desires lead to sinful decisions.
Lessons from the wilderness
The learning experience in the wilderness of the Israelites is an opportunity for us to either learn from their mistakes or be doomed to repeatthem. We, today, believers and unbelievers alike, are so much like the nation of Israel. We can learn from their mistakes to come to an understanding of how God wants you and me to follow Him as He leads.
You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Lesson 1
Your wilderness will not last forever. God never meant the wilderness to be a permanent residency but rather a temporary transition to a better place. The Israelite people had their promised land; we as believers have a mansion in heaven ready for us.
Lesson 2
Even as they wandered in the wilderness, Israel never lost their way. They were being led. God took care of them in the wilderness. He provided for their every need: food, water, clothing, and health. When we look back on our wandering, we see God has done the same with us. Our learning experience is readily available in Word of God if we but heed it’s
Lesson 3
The wilderness was a test for the Israelites. God knew what was in the heart of His people, He tested them so that they would know what was in their hearts. How we respond to our wilderness experiences will demonstrate either our faith in God or faith in ourselves. Trusting in God will ultimately determine our destination; trusting in ourselves will lead us away from God and His providential leading.