Seven Lessons We Can Learn From the Israelites and Their Journey Through the Wildernessናሙና

Obedience

God was looking for the Israelites’ hearts, not just their obedience to the law. He was inviting the Israelites into something much deeper and more profound than a surface-level relationship based upon rules. One of the keys to following God on our journey is to understand His heart behind obedience. He doesn't want to control us. He wants what's best for us, but we often struggle to see His way as best, especially when we can’t see the outcome. 

The Israelites followed God out of Egypt and saw all of the miracles that He performed, yet they still doubted Him and weren’t always quick to trust Him or to be obedient. It says in Exodus 15, that after the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, they traveled for three days through the desert without finding water and came to a place called Marah. There was water there, but it was bitter so they couldn't drink it. Instead of trusting God to provide, they grumbled against Moses saying, “What are we going to drink?” Moses cried out to the Lord and the Lord showed him a piece of wood to throw into the water and it became fit to drink. Each time the Israelites came to a moment of testing they complained instead of trusting, which would have led them to being obedient and seeing God’s faithfulness. 

Our obedience actually shows that we love and trust God. The only way we are going to be quick to be obedient is if we take the time to get to know Him and His nature. The journey through the wilderness was meant to affirm to the Israelites that they could trust God and that He would always show up and provide for them. They didn’t even give Him a chance before they were off grumbling and complaining about the next thing. 

Do you have areas of your life where you struggle to trust or be obedient to God? Do you believe He always has your best interests in mind?

Prayer: God, I want to know Your heart and Your ways so that I can be obedient to you. It’s my heart's desire to honor and love You with my whole life. I want the best that You have for me, so please teach me to follow You in all of Your ways, even when I don’t understand. I know You are worth the journey and the mystery of getting to know You!