Part TWO of a seven part series on a word study of "Midbar"
Midbar: a desert, wasteland, barren wilderness, desolate land that supports very little life. Also used to described an open country suitable for grazing and as a mouth/instrument of speech.
*God is present within the wilderness.
Quiet. Alone. Often, I wander off into nature with the intention of getting away from society - it is nice to have some time when I feel like I can completely unplug, get away from the responsibilities of everyday life, and have some sweet “solo time”. I have found that these times in nature where I am completely alone have been some of the times I have felt the presence of God the strongest.
In the Old Testament, the people of Israel had the opportunity to see the physical manifestation of God Himself. His presence was literally visible. How cool is that? Exodus 13:21-22 describes the time when God was leading the Israelites through the wilderness. He could be seen as a pillar of cloud during the day and as a pillar of fire at night to give them light. It tells us that the physical manifestation of God never departed from His people, regardless of their location. He was present all the time, never leaving them. What an incredible sight to see the living God, leading them both by day and night, so darkness will never touch them.
God never leaves His people. In Deuteronomy 1:29-33, He says that He goes before Israel, fights for Israel as He has in the past, carried Israel through the wilderness as a man carries his own son, and showed them a place to pitch their tents in safety at night. He did all these things even though Israel didn't always trust Him or be obedient to Him. In 1 Samuel 23, God never left David as he was in the wilderness fleeing from Saul. 1 Samuel 23:14 says,“...And Saul sought him every day, but God did not give him into his hand.” Over and over again, God's hand can be seen throughout both David's and Israel's story, and we can see how God's presence was a source of protection, hope, and strength for them.
God is a good, good Father. Just as He was always present in Old Testament times, He continues to be present everywhere, all the time, in this world today. He has eyes and ears everywhere, seeing, hearing, and responding all the time. I am so thankful for this, because God knows what I need, what I think, and what I will do, long before I even know. His presence is beautifully described within His word. Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens and the sky proclaim His name. Psalm 96 tells us that the fields, the trees of the forest, and the sea, all rejoice and sing for joy of the Lord. Psalm 95 tells us that His hands hold the depths of the earth and the mountain peaks. All of it is His. Even though I have never physically seen God Himself within nature, I cannot look into nature without knowing that He is God and He is present. His presence spills over into every nook and cranny of my life, including the wilderness seasons. His presence leads me, fights for me, carries me, and protects me. I can be confident that He will never leave me alone, but He is always here.
He is present in the wilderness.
***
Scripture References:
Exodus 13:21-22
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
Deuteronomy 1:29-33
Then I said to you, ‘Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight for you, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness, where you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you are to this place.’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God, who went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go.
Psalm 19:1-6
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Psalm 96:11-13
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for He comes, for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness.
Psalm 95:3-5
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
In His hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are His also.
The sea is His for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
Comments