The Wilderness of Sin — Part 1

Posted on by Rob Singleton

Egypt-sinai-2I’m still going through Exodus in my Quiet time these days—it’s a long book. Yesterday I came across what I thought was a very strange name for an “area.” The place the Israelites were encamped was referred to as, “The Wilderness of Sin.”

 

Here’s the passage I’m referring to:

 

 

On the fifteenth day of the second month after they had left Egypt, the whole company of Israel moved on from Elim to the Wilderness of Sin which is between Elim and Sinai. The whole company of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness. The Israelites said, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!”  Exodus 16:1

 

This is no coincidence. God often tests His children in desert times. More frequently than I like, He takes me through the wilderness so that my faith can be tested—and hopefully grow.

 

The goal is  for it to grow.

 

But faith often crashes and burns in the wilderness as well.

 

So, is it worth the risk?

 

It’s not so much a matter of it being worth it or not. It’s a matter of there most often being no other way. You see, very little changes in our lives in times of prosperity and perfect health and no problems or obstacles whatsoever. Most life change comes when we are forced to cling to God and God alone. And that’s one of the things that happens in the wilderness. There are other things as well.

 

Sooooo, what should we be doing in the wilderness?

 

Hint: Look at the above scripture again. See what the Israelites did?

 

  • They complained
  • They compared
  • They accused
  • They played “fill in the blanks” with God

Don’t do that.

 

You might end up having to spend more time out there than is healthy for your average, rebellous child of God.

 

I’m morbidly fascinated with this concept in God’s Word right now because I’ve had my share of wilderness times and I’d like to learn to come out of there knowing whatever it is God sent me in to learn.