Wilderness Discipleship

Introduction: The training of our culture to focus on self. Example, commercials. Nearly all of them advertise how to be a better you. Buy this, and in turn, you’ll have fulfillment.

Expedia Commercial: My boy Ewan McGregor had a commercial last year that went like this:

Stuff, we love stuff and there is some really great stuff out there. But I doubt that any of us will look back at our lives and think “I wish I would have gotten a sportier SUV, a thinner TV, or found a trendier scent. I wish I discovered a crunchier chip, found a lighter light beer, bought an even smarter smartphone. Do you think any of us will look back at our lives and regret the things we didn’t buy....or the places we didn’t go?”

It was a travel commercial. It’s good. Until it offers one more thing that will fulfill you.

The training of our culture is, and really, has always been, that life is about you. We are trained in our culture to look things to give us fulfillment.

The Israelites were the same. They had been trained in Egypt to focus on self. The gods were merely reflections of their own desires. Gods of fertility, agriculture, nature, were merely a reflection of their own desires, their own attempt at being gods themselves. And we’ll see how God is going to train them to stop trusting themselves, look to themselves, and to trust in Him.

The church must realize the same thing. We are trained to be self-centered and when things don’t go our way, we grumble and complain. In our individual lives, our families, and in our churches.

My desire for us this morning is that God would show us from this text that we need to shed our selfishness and trust in Him.

CTS: Shed your selfishness and trust in the perfect Son.

Read Exodus 15:22-27, 16:1-5, 17:1-4

I. Israel in the Wilderness

We are going to treat a large text of Scripture again this morning, but I believe that three events belong together because they communicate the same message. God is training his people, breaking their habits, and showing them how to trust in Him. These tests that Israel go through are intentional and purposeful to disciple His people to proper worship and trust in Him.

A. Bitter water made sweet (15:22-27)

The pattern you are going to see is that they sent out on stages through this wilderness that was between Egypt and what will be the destination that we will end with in Exodus at Mt. Sinai. On this journey, God is purposeful to test His people to teach them in how to trust in Him. You will see how patient the Lord is through these texts.

The problem and response of Israel: Three days they are traveling, and apparently, they have run out of water. And they come to a place called “Marah.” The reason for the naming of this place is that the water there was undrinkable, bitter.

So, no water, and the water they they do come across is undrinkable. What is the response of Israel? What would be our response? They grumbled against Moses and said “What shall we drink?” The implication here is that the blame goes to Moses. We’ll see that this grumbling will get even more intense.

But let us remember something as we read this. What did Israel just experience? What did Israel just sing about? They sang not about Moses, they sang about God. And yet, their first response is to complain to Moses instead of crying out to the one whom they have cried out to in the past. Did they already forget what their God did? Do you think he could have had the ability to give them water? That would seem like a pretty simple things for him to do.

The response of Moses: But Moses here does something different. He goes to the one who can do something about it. Moses has already been through some wilderness training himself, having to have learned to trust in God. Remember how much we had to watch Moses question God? Yet God was merciful to him, patient with him, and we see Moses now where he needs to be to lead God’s people. And his example of trust should be an example to Israel, and even to us as well.

The response of God: The response of God is that of mercy and grace, which will be clearly reiterated over and over again through these texts. God shows Moses a log there at Marah, commanded him to throw it into the water, and that log miraculously made the water “sweet,” or drinkable. Another one of God’s miraculous works in a barren and bitter place. The God of provision, He himself gives us the “sweet” water in the midst of the hard and bitter times of our wilderness journey.

The second part of the response is going to be the overarching testing that God will do. Two-fold is the test. That in the negative, that he is teaching them to not be like Egypt. If they continue to do what Egypt did, by refusing to obey Yahweh, they will face judgment. If they obey the Lord, they will be healed.

The last part of the response is that God takes them and provides for them beyond what they expected. Abundant provision for His people through the wilderness journey. The Lord is abundant in his provision for what we need.

B. Bread from heaven

Second stage is set out from Elim through the wilderness of Sin. Sin is very closely related to Sinai in Hebrew, so that is what it probably means, that this wilderness was on the way to Sinai.

The problem: Lack of food. They have probably run out of their provisions that had since Egypt.

Israel’s response: Grumbling against Moses and Aaron. This time, the complaint is greater. “It would have been better for us to have food and meat in slavery in Egypt than to die in hunger out here in the wilderness. Moses and Aaron, you have brought us out to kill us.” The complaining against is directed against God’s leaders. It also is very self-focused. They were concerned about themselves. They looked back and saw that at least in EGypt they weren’t hungry. Nevermind they were beaten, unable to worship their God, and even threatened and killed. But because their stomachs were full, it was better than freedom and worship of God.

God’s response: Verses 4 and 5 is the general answer of God to their hunger. He instructs Moses on what He will do. He will provide the bread they need, but he will also test them with it, reminding them of whom they need to trust. Not in themselves but in God.

Moses and Aaron respond: They tell Israel that God will again show them who it is that delivered them out of Egypt. And if he did that, why would he not deliver them from a simple thing such as hunger? They would see his provision and glory. And the second thing they reveal is that their grumbling is ultimately not against the leaders, but against God.

The focus of Israel was looking at the leaders and laying their self-centered problems on them. As though they caused their hunger and their predicament. Moses and Aaron, though not perfect by any means, were being obedient to the Lord. And yes, this wilderness journey wasn’t comfortable. It was testing and trying. But following the Lord is rarely easy. God’s leaders shepherding God’s people through the wilderness often have to make decisions according to God’s Word that will upset the status quo, upset the comfort of God’s people. Israel was comfortable, and now they were having to strain through the wilderness. But God was doing that to help them stop relying on themselves and to trust Him, His will, and His purpose.

God’s glory and provision revealed (9-30): God again shows Himself in the cloud, what should be an imposing presence, to remind Israel of who He is and His purposes. His glory. He wants Israel to know he has heard their grumblings against him. But God is gracious and merciful. He is patient and he will fulfill his promises.

Daily provision: The provision of quail shows up in the evening for their meat and their bread shows up in the morning as promised. It looks like a dew that appears on the ground. They are given instructions to gather an omer of it for each person in the household and to eat their fill of it. Don’t leave anything left over to save. God will do this everyday minus the Sabbath. The test is to trust God’s daily provision. Yet some of Israel disobey, save some, and they find it rotting. Again, self-centered and untrusting. Moses is angry again at their disobedience. When will they learn? Ironic, as it took some time for Moses to get it as well.

Sabbath provision: The last test in a Sabbath rest. On the sixth day of the week, they were to gather twice as much to provide for the Sabbath day. The Sabbath rest is rooted in creation for the benefit of creation. To rest and recharge is for the good of God’s people. So, on that sixth day, they were to gather for the seventh, for God would not send manna or quail that day. They were to boil and bake the double portion. God provides not only provision, but also rest. Yet another failure happens. Some go out on the Sabbath and find no manna or quail. God this time rebukes the Israelites. How long will you keep disobeying me? They are learning, but this learning will eventually turn to something different, as God will begin to bring judgment for their disobedience. Teaching will eventually turn into judgment when the teaching goes unheeded.

God’s provision memorialized (31-36): Israel would be commanded to keep a jar with them at all times into the Promised Land to remind them of God’s provision to all generations. It would be a teaching moment always before them. God is provider and will continue to throughout the generations.

C. Water from the rock (17:1-7)

The third instance of testing is similar to the first. Lack of water, but this time, a more intense quarreling with Moses, to the point of about to stone him. They are testing the Lord again. They claim Moses was trying to kill them again.

Moses cries out to the Lord again, but this time, what am I going to do with these people? They are trying to kill me?

God responds again, and this time, to show solidarity and proof to the people that the elders would go with him and reveal the water. Take that staff the parted the waters and I’ll provide you water, again. Strike the rock, and water will come. Provision will be given. Thirst will be quenched.

The memorial would be not one of positive, but rather, a reminder to the generations. That place in the wilderness would be called Massah and Meribah (quareling and testing). A reminder of what not to do. God will do that to His people. Remind them of their wrongdoing so as to remind the generations that this isn’t what you are supposed to do.

The incredible patience and love of God is on display. Despite their grumblings and their disobedience, God’s people are still given grace and mercy. The patience of the Lord is astounding, and it should astound us.

Illustrate patience: A good teacher is always patient with a student. I remember when I was a kid, I began to learn how to bowl. There was a lady at the bowling center that we often bowled at that coached me. Step by step she taught me, adding one thing on to another. But it took time. Mastery over the step before we could add on to the next thing. Mastering the approach through stance, steps, how to hold the ball, how to to swing the ball in rhythm, where the eyes focused, where to aim, how to consistently keep the arm straight, how to kick your back leg, how to follow through. It was often through little ideas that helped keep things in check, practice “handing money to the pizza delivery guy” was one I remember clearly. When I would get frustrated, she was patient. She kept encouraging. When I was outright not following her instructions, she stopped me and reiterated where I went wrong.

God is the patient teacher who continually shows us what to do, how to do it, and when we get frustrated, he is patient. When we outright disobey his commands, he rebukes us and disciplines us, but always toward the end of His glory and for our good.

This is wilderness discipleship. And this patience is exemplified that God himself comes where we failed and could not obey, and comes on our behalf to lead the way, to show us a life of righteousness by faith and trust in Him. We see how Jesus fulfills this.

II. Jesus in the Wilderness

A. Jesus is greater Israel (Matt 4:2-3)

As can be seen, Israel fails to obey. They grumble about provision and go against the God who delivered them. They fail the test over and over again.

Hebrews 3:16–19 ESV

16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Yet God is still gracious and keeps His promises. The rest of God is available, the Promised Land of God’s people. And Jesus leads the way to it. He is greater Israel.

Matthew 4:2–3 ESV

2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

Where Israel failed in the testings in the wilderness, Jesus doesn’t. He relies on the Lord God, lives on the Word, trusts in Him. Sinless unlike Israel, sinless unlike us.

Jesus greater Israel, and even greater Moses. I like how The Message puts Hebrews 3:1-5

Hebrews 3:1–5 M:BCL

1 So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, 2 faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, 3 but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. 4 Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. 5 Moses did a good job in God’s house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come.

So in the wilderness, our faith and trust is not in ourselves, but only in the One who can deliver. The completely righteous and faithful Jesus, and the One whom delivers us from sin and death. The whom we sang about is also the one we obey. Put your faith in Him alone, trust Him. Look to Jesus, faithful in everything God gave him to do.

B. Jesus is the bread of life (Jn 6:11, 25-41, 48-51)

Just as God did in the wilderness with Israel, Jesus provides manna for His people. When he fed the 5,000, it should give us a clue to look back. The same God who gave manna miraculously is the same God who gives these loaves of bread.

John 6:11 ESV

11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted.

We look to Jesus because He is the manna sent by God to satisfy our longings, our souls. To feast on Jesus is to feast on eternal sustenance, eternal life found in Him. Those that feast on Jesus never hunger and never thirst. The spiritual implications are further explained later in John 6.

John 6:31–41 ESV

31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” 41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”

Do you see what Jesus says? Look to the Son, not self, and find eternal life. Feast on him, our spiritual eternal bread. Not physically, but by faith. Look to him for eternal life, what He has done on the cross and His resurrection, and He will raise you up on the last day.

The Jews grumbled to Moses. The Jews grumbled to Jesus too. Don’t grumble against the Savior. Trust in Him alone by faith!

C. Jesus is the Rock struck that brings living water (1 Cor 10:1-5, Jn 7:37-39)

Paul takes the wilderness wanderings and applies it to Christ. Listen to 1 Cor 10.

1 Corinthians 10:1–5 ESV

1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Jesus is the spiritual Rock, who was struck on the cross to provide eternal life giving water.

John 7:37–39 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

It is through Christ we receive eternal sustenance. And he continues to sustain His people through the person of the Holy Spirit. He guides us through the wilderness until we enter the final Promised Land of home. So for the church, how do we live in this wilderness until He comes?

III. Church in the Wilderness

We must learn as God’s people, that God is training us through this wilderness wanderings. Yes, this place is not our home, but we are called to live in it to be a light of Jesus is, to lead people to faith in the one true God, like Israel was called to. We are to point Christ. But that also requires us to shed our selfishness, our self-centeredness, and to look to Christ and trust in Him.

Individually:

When we focus on self, we tend to narrow all things to our own comfort. We doubt God and His goodness, try to fix things ourselves, and make all of our decisions based on our wants and our needs. Our money and possessions become about us rather than the call to be generous and bless others. Our attitudes reflect that God and others are secondary to our selves. When the god of self is rebuked, we get upset and grumble against those who try to lovingly rebuke us, including God himself.

To trust in Jesus is opposite. Our wants and needs become low on our list. Our money and possessions are leveraged for the good of others, to the glory of Christ. We are willingly to hear when we are prideful and repent when we fail. We look to God and His Word for guidance and how to live with a kingdom of God mindset rather than a kingdom of self mindset.

Marriage:

When we are selfish in our marriages, when our spouse does something that challenges our kingdoms, we get upset. They aren’t fulfilling our needs. Its a reminder that our spouses are fallen human beings, and so are we. They can’t fulfill the longings of our hearts. When we become the center of our marriage, we only break its intention that Jesus is the focus and that the spouse comes before us.

To focus on Christ means that only Jesus can fulfill me, but in that, I can serve my spouse and love them as Christ loved me. When they hurt me or they don’t do something they like, I patiently love and endure. When I hurt them, I repent and ask forgiveness. We forgive quickly and love sacrificially.

Parenting:

To focus on ourselves in parenting is to view children as means of our bulding up our kingdoms. So when they mess up our comfort, we get upset. Sometimes ot appease our own comfort, we let children rule the roost. I don’t want to upset them and fight with them, so I’ll let them do what they want. WE also want to be the best parents around, and everything centers around them. Their schedules dictate the family.

To focus on Christ is to love patiently, discipline when needed, forgive them when they mess up, and ask forgiveness when we sin against. As God is patient with us, we are patient with them. Yet we also dictate the rhythms of home, that Christ is center. That means that schedules are in submission to the things of God. The Word and devotion to God takes priority. Family time worshiping the Lord in the home. Disciplemaking. And the importance of the gathered body of believers comes first. We also teach our kids not to see themselves as the center of the world, but to see that Jesus is. Authority in their life is not meant to withhold things from them, but to teach them what a life in Christ is supposed to look like.

Church corporate:

And in the life of the church, when we focus on ourselves, we only cause damage to the body. When our preferences and our comforts are challenged, we turn on one another and grumble and complain. When we focus on self, we tend to turn on leadership as Israel did against Moses. Its because something we prefer or love comes before the Lord and His commands. This causes disunity and unforgiveness among one another because our desires and our traditions have come before the commands of God.

When we focus on Christ, we are quick to forgive our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, quick to reconcile. We are willing to let go of our preferences and traditions if they are being called by God to let them go. We define the life of the church by what the Scriptures say, not what our traditions and even sometimes our by-laws say. We follow the ordained leaders that God has brought to the church, praying and seeking God for them to lead the church well. We don’t grumble and complain when a little thing gets changed, even if we don’t like it. When they point us to Scripture and ask us to go, we should go and pray for a heart of obedience to the Scriptures they proclaim.

When Jesus is the focus of His people, our lives are transformed. We lean into Him and trust Him. Not ourselves. Not our comforts. Not our preferences. But we look to Christ and His guidance, His love, and His mercy. He is leading us home. In the meantime, let’s make much of Him in this wilderness world that needs Him. Let’s obey His command to make disciples, His primary task for us individually, in our relationships, in our homes, and in His churches.

Prayer: God, help us to shed our selfishness and trust in your perfect Son.