Lessons from the Wilderness

Introduction to Bamidbar

The Book of Numbers, also known as Bamidbar, which translates to “into the wilderness”, recounts the story of Israel’s journey after their departure from Egypt to their arrival at the promised land. Despite the book’s initial focus on census and counting, its core narrative revolves around Israel’s experiences in the wilderness. This journey, initially expected to last a few weeks, extended to 40 years, filled with adventure, despair, forgiveness, redemption, and drama. The speaker, Matthew Vander Els, encourages us to view these Torah portions not as isolated stories but as integral parts of a larger narrative leading to God’s redemption through Yeshua.

The Journey Through the Wilderness

The book is divided into three main sections, each representing a significant camping location: Mount Sinai, Paran, and Moab, with subsections detailing their travels.

• Mount Sinai: Here, the covenant between God and Israel was established, marking their transformation from slaves to a kingdom of priests. The Ten Commandments and the Torah were given, and God’s house, the Tabernacle, was built, symbolizing God’s presence among them. God instructed the tribes to encamp in a specific order, with His holiness at the center.
• Paran: After a year of training at Mount Sinai, Israel began their journey to the promised land. However, just three days into their travels, they started to complain about hunger and other discomforts. This section is known for the story of the twelve spies who were sent to scout the land. While two spies brought back positive reports of a fruitful land, ten spies spread fear, focusing on the strength of the Canaanites. The people, influenced by the negative report, refused to enter the promised land, leading to God’s disappointment and a decree that that generation would not enter the land.
• Moab: This section recounts further travels and rebellions. Moses, frustrated by the people’s constant complaints, struck a rock instead of speaking to it to bring forth water, forfeiting his right to enter the promised land. Numerous incidents of rebellion led to punishments, such as the sending of fiery serpents among the people. However, God always provided a way back, symbolized by the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up for the people to look at and be healed. The narrative also introduces Balak, the king of Moab, and Balaam, a diviner hired to curse Israel. Instead of curses, blessings came out of Balaam’s mouth, including a messianic prophecy about a star coming out of Jacob.

Theological Insights and Connections

The speaker draws a parallel between Israel’s wilderness experience and Yeshua’s (Jesus’) temptation in the wilderness. Just as Israel was tested in the wilderness, Yeshua was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Each of Yeshua’s temptations mirrors the failures of Israel in the wilderness, as referenced in Deuteronomy:

• Turning stones into bread: Yeshua refused to turn stones into bread, rebuking the temptation to doubt God’s provision, reminiscent of Israel’s complaints about hunger.
• Testing God at the temple: Yeshua refused to test God by throwing Himself off the temple, recalling Israel’s testing God at Massah by asking if He was among them.
• Worshipping Satan for worldly power: Yeshua refused to worship Satan for worldly power, echoing Israel’s worship of the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai.

This comparison highlights Yeshua as the greater Moses, leading to a greater Passover and Exodus. The ultimate victory is achieved not through violence but through love and the establishment of God’s kingdom within believers. The speaker references Colossians 2:15, emphasizing that Yeshua disarmed powers and authorities through the cross, making a public spectacle of them.

Application for Everyday Life

• Gratitude in Hardship: The wilderness is hard, but it’s not an excuse to be ungrateful. Recognize that difficult times can be periods of transition for the better, and missing this perspective can lead to missing out on God’s ultimate blessings.
• Recognizing God’s Presence: The wilderness can be scary if you refuse to see God’s presence. Remember, even when you feel distant from God, He has not moved; He is always there, waiting for you to return.
• Obedience and Choices: God honors your choices, even when they lead to disobedience. Choose obedience to experience an intimate relationship with God and to see blessings poured out into your life.
• Extending God’s Kingdom: As believers, you carry the kingdom of God within you. Your role is to extend this kingdom, defeating the powers of the world through love and the power of the Word.
• Embrace Forgiveness and Redemption: Just as God always provided a way back for the Israelites, He always has a plan of forgiveness and redemption for you. Embrace His grace and mercy, recognizing that it is always possible to return to Him.

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References

• Numbers: The entire book of Numbers, also known as Bamidbar, is the primary reference for this teaching.
• Colossians 2:15
• John 3:14
• John 4
• Matthew 4:4
• Matthew 4:7
• Matthew 4:10
• Deuteronomy 8:3
• Deuteronomy 6:16
• Exodus 17
• Exodus 16:3
• 1 Corinthians 15

Resources

• The Bible
• IVP Bible Background Commentary
• Book of Enoch