How The Story of the Israelites in the Wilderness Parallels Our Story
We sometimes hear about Israel’s exodus from Egypt into the wilderness and ultimately the promise land as a metaphor for salvation, and the new birth. And of course, it is.
Click here to read Exodus chapters 15-18 for a refresher of the story of the Israelites in the wilderness.
Every Bondage is Egypt
But I think it can also apply to every sin issue we struggle with. From addictions to food or shopping, to pornography, gambling and lust.
It applies to obsessive/compulsive sins having do with fits of rage, intrusive thoughts, bad attitudes and our words. It can actually be applicable to any sin at all.
When we are controlled by and enslaved to sin, we are in Egypt, figuratively. This represents slavery and is the “Iron Furnace of Affliction”(Deuteronomy 4:20).
When we decide to deal with it, and overcome it, we are delivered from Egypt. But then we end up in the wilderness for a while. While this is infinitely better than Egypt, it’s still not an easy place to be.
It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant. And we must look to God to meet our needs that were being met by sin. It’s a place of temptation, exertion, humiliation and suffering.
We’ll Be Tempted to Go Back
It’s so hard, in fact, that we will probably be tempted to go back to Egypt. Just like the Israelites. Bondage is miserable.
The apostle Paul talks about it like this: “. . . but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” Romans 7: 14, 15.
But it sometimes feels easier than the constant temptation that results from our need that is no longer being met by sin.
But if we can manage to patiently endure the wilderness, we will make it to the promise land of freedom from sin. And into a new place of strength and glory in our lives.
The Israelites in the Wilderness and our Story
If we resist temptation in the wilderness, it will eventually flee altogether in the promise land (see James 4:7). If we exert ourselves in the wilderness, we will enter His rest (Hebrews 4: 1-11).
And if we humble ourselves and suffer in the wilderness, we will be exalted to inherit the promise land (1 Peter 5:6). And be glorified there with a greater measure of Christ’s Spirit and power to walk in love.
As Joyce Meyer often says, “the trip from Egypt to the promise land is not easy but it’s worth it”. For thoughts on how to make it through that wilderness phase, read The Israelites in the Desert: How to Get Out Faster.
Or here’s another post similar to How the Story of the Israelites in the Wilderness Parallels Our Story: The Purpose of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.