The Worm Pilgrim's Wilderness

The Nahal Zin Mountains

The "Great and Terrible Wilderness" through which the Israelites passed 

included this area around the Nahal Zin as described in Numbers 34.

Photo Courtesy by Bible Places.com

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. (Exodus 13:21)

The Exodus of  Israelites from Egypt to Canaan could be of two ways. One way would take a few days journey; and the other was of much further---40 years! The way that God chose for them, as we are told in the Scriptures, was through the wilderness and from where God lead them. 

A wilderness is a place separate from civilization. It is sparsely populated and those living in such places requires assistance or aid from outside world to survive. Wilderness is uncultivated, barren, and water less,  such that food is scarcely found. Life in the wilderness is harsh, lonely and painful.

But why would God chose the way of wilderness for His people??

The hardships of wilderness disciplined God's people. Moses said, 

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD .(Deuteronomy 8:2-3)"

Israelites Passing Through the Wilderness
 by William West (1801-1861)

God's great deal of sin of  the Israelites and their  many discomforts  during those forty years in the wilderness is included in the providential care of God. He reminds them that He was with them during both good and bad times. That He did this for three specific reasons: to humble them and to knock down their pride as this motivated many of their sins; to know what was in their hearts as seen in their reactions to various trials; and to teach them that man does not live by bread alone. God wants to see whether they will live by faith, depending upon Him to supply those needs.

The Christian life is a pilgrimage to Celestial City. The journey along the way involves a great deal of discipline to "Be conformed to the image of His Son...(Romans 8:29)". So that God "Might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory (Romans 9:23)."  The author of Hebrews warns, "Do not despise the chastening of the Lord" (Hebrews 12:5). Explaining  this matter,  Puritan Pastor, John Flavel, said:

"All the dark, intricate, puzzling, providences at which we were sometimes offended...we shall one day see to be to us, as the difficult passage through the wilderness was to Israel, "The right way to the City of Habitation."

He further said,

"Let us consider and marvel that ever this great and blessed God should be so much concerned, as you have heard He is in all His providences, about such vile, despicable worm as we are! He does not need us, but is perfectly blessed and happy in Himself without us. We can add nothing to Him."

‎"GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT REDEEMER, PILGRIM THROUGH THIS BARREN LAND; I AM WEAK, BUT THOU ART MIGHTY , HOLD ME WITH THY POWERFUL HAND...."

                                                                              -William Williams

This blog is inspired by the Great Welsh Hymn - Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer.