Part ONE 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.
Peace. Quiet. Surrounded by forest, mountains, beach, whatever setting I happened to stumble across on my adventure into nature. Bliss.
Some of my favorite moments in life have occurred within pure solitude, where I can hear the wind, the rain, the stillness of silence, in nature. Either alone or with others, it really doesn’t matter, there’s always beauty to see outdoors. Within the past few centuries, the wilderness regions have become much more accessible than they were during biblical times. We have cars to bring us into remote regions, GPS to ensure we are staying on trail and we don’t get lost, apps to plan out our treks, compasses and maps (although, I'm curious if people actually use these anymore?), and access to rescue if absolutely needed. Before these tools were available, the wilderness was completely different than it is today. It was a place of isolation from others and society that, without the tools we have today, had the potential to become a completely different place than I see it as today. It was a place where being alone meant no access to help and no access to food or water unless they had the ability to provide for themselves. It was a place of solitude that had the potential at any time to become a place of danger.
The wilderness is a place that is very commonly mentioned within the word of God. The word “wilderness” is derived from the word “midbar”, and it is used primarily to describe a desert, wasteland, barren wilderness, desolate land that supports very little life. It is also used at times to describe an open country or an instrument of speech. Through a word study of the all the times that "wilderness" is referenced in the word, I couldn't help but notice that there are several common themes which surround the times when God's people are within the wilderness, telling us a lot about His character and His response to His people. This list is nowhere near exhaustive, but some things I have noticed in my personal study:
*God is present within the wilderness.
*God pursues His people within the wilderness.
*God provides for His people within the wilderness.
*God is patient with His people within the wilderness.
*God has a purpose for the wilderness.
In applying the things we learn from the stories of the bible within the wilderness, we don't typically find ourselves within a literal wilderness. Therefore, believers often use the word "wilderness" as a metaphor for certain seasons of life. The God of the bible is the same God who works within our world today. Even though today presents with different challenges than those in the Old Testament faced, we can take and apply the things which were learned by the people in the Old Testament to the situations we encounter today.
*Have you ever had a season of life where you have wondered where God is? Maybe you have felt like the world continues to turn, yet you have no idea where God's hand is in it all or where His plan is taking you?
*Have you ever had a season of life where you have wondered how you are going to hold on and get through it all? Maybe this season has been a season of waiting for something to occur or even waiting for peace to come after the turmoil?
*Have you ever had a season of life where you struggled to trust God and His plan in it all, therefore it has been hard to align your heart and mind in obedience to God?
*Have you ever had a season of life where you were struggling to find purpose? Or, when you can't seem to figure out where God is going, why He is doing what He is doing, or what His timing is in it all?
I can admit to feeling almost every one of those things within certain seasons of my life. In many of the stories of the bible occurring within the wilderness, there is at least some elements of the things mentioned above. However, we must know that He is a good God. The purest form of the word "good" is a description of God Himself, and all things He does are out of an overflow of His goodness. Every book, every chapter, every story, every word, in the bible is a reflection of who God is, and His goodness shines ever brighter within the times where His people are within the wilderness.
I got so excited to dig into the word "wilderness" with you, that I ended up writing a lot more than anticipated. So, buckle in, I've got a seven (SEVEN?!?) part series coming right at ya. They will be released over the next couple of weeks, so keep your eyes out!
I'll begin (and end!) this series with one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 63, which was written by David as he was in the wilderness of Judah. As to when David exactly wrote this Psalm is up for debate among many people who have studied the bible a lot longer than I have, however it is known that David wrote this Psalm when he was literally in the wilderness.
Psalm 63
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you,
As in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;
They shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.
But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by Him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
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