2. A Quick Sale

I believe that the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their forty-year journey in the wilderness clearly shows us that Father God is much more interested in how we journey, and in journeying with us, than just getting us to where we need to be as quickly as possible. In fact, in my experience, the whole concept of ‘as quickly as possible’ doesn’t exist in His vocabulary at all! He’s not in a rush to get us anywhere. He just wants to be with us as we travel. We’re the ones who seem to be in a rush to get there… wherever “there” is!

I find it fascinating that, although such a powerful, sovereign God could easily have wiped out Israel’s captors, the Egyptians, in a mere moment and led His people triumphantly out of Egypt and straight into the land of Canaan, He didn’t do that. Instead, God chose to use two initially quite inept, inexperienced, and reluctant leaders, Moses and his brother, Aaron, to confront one of the biggest world powers of the day, Pharaoh, display His power and lead His people out of Egypt.

Why?

        I believe God’s purpose was much bigger than simply moving his people from one location to another. I think He wanted to walk with Moses and Aaron step by step, to instil in them an understanding of who He was and of His love for His people. He wanted to develop in them the leadership skills they would need for the years ahead. He wanted a personal relationship with them; for them to know not only who He was and what He could do, but who they were and what they could do in partnership with Him.

If the goal was simply to get to the destination then God was a lousy travel agent because a journey which should have taken roughly thirteen days took forty years! The Bible tells us, “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’ (Exodus 13:17-18).

Once the Israelites had left Egypt, God by-passed the shorter, coastal route to Canaan, and directed them the long way, which took them to the Red Sea. He didn’t just want to ‘make a quick sale’, like so many travel agents today!

Sold to the highest bidder!

No!

He wanted to give His people something of far greater value than a parcel of land. His goal wasn’t just to get them out of Egypt and into Canaan as quickly as possible, His goal was for them to know Him. That has always been the goal, from the beginning when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden right up to this very day. The desire of God’s heart is for us to know Him and love Him, just as He knows and loves us.

Even after those forty years in the wilderness, once the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land, the process didn’t stop. God could have cleared the land of all Israel’s enemies, wiped out the giants and given them a brand-new land with no problems and no enemies to fight - but He didn’t. The so-called “Promised Land” was full of ferocious people groups who had no intention of handing over their land to the audacious nation of Israel.

Joshua took on the mantle of leadership when Moses died, and a large proportion of his life was spent warring against the kings of Canaan, steadily claiming the land for God’s people. It wasn’t just about God giving the Israelites a wonderful new home, it was about teaching His own special people to know His voice and trust Him, so they would be a people who would follow His voice and walk in His ways.

God knew they needed to know that He was their provider, and that He alone would supply them with water, food, clothing, safety, and warmth.

       They needed to know that He could and would fight for them and that, with Him, they could conquer any foe, no matter how indomitable they seemed to be.

       They needed to know that they were not slaves anymore, but free men; a people specifically chosen by a loving, righteous God to be His own children.

       They needed to know how to live in righteous relationship with their God; how to fellowship with Him and worship, how to honour Him and walk in His ways.

They needed to know that they would not and could not achieve anything of lasting value without Him.

        He didn’t just hand the land of Canaan over to them on a silver platter because, if He had done that, they wouldn’t have been able to tend and preserve the land He had given them. God was pretty straight about it, too. He outlined His plan quite clearly: “I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you” (Exodus 23:29).

They had to fight for what was theirs. They had to take courage and face the giants. They had to step into the unknown and learn how to trust in their God, knowing that He was with them every step of the way.

And He was!

The Israelites saw the hand of God move on their behalf; water flowing out of a rock, their enemies defeated by bizarre battle strategies, miraculous daily provision of food, impenetrable city walls that crumbled before their eyes, and seas of water held back as if by an indivisible hand.

Walking into a wilderness takes great courage, but the fruit of that courage is unsurpassed – there’s simply nothing like it. So if you’re going through a difficult wilderness season at the moment, take courage! Trust that your heavenly Father knows what He’s doing, and you will see amazing things happen!

Until next time ….

Are you going through a wilderness season at the moment, or have you been through one (or more) in your life?

Ask yourself, “Am I journeying WITH God, or am I in too much of a hurry to ‘get there’ on my own, using my own ingenuity and strength? Take a moment to think about that and then invite Him to journey with you, to lead you and guide you.

Nicky Heymans is an author of historical fiction who is known for drawing fresh life and inspiration out of familiar Bible stories. She would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions by scrolling down to the bottom of this page and clicking on the 'contact' link, and she will get back to you.