Matthew 7:14b

difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The Word of God declares in Joshua 5:6,

⁶ For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Fast forward to this generation, only a few people are able to go through the difficult way for they will find life.

I. What is the wilderness?

The wilderness is a powerful theme throughout the Bible—a place of isolation, challenge, and deep revelation. Often depicted as barren, lonely, or even hostile, the wilderness in Scripture becomes a unique classroom where God shapes, tests, and reveals Himself to His people.

II. Why did God lead the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years?

Deuteronomy 8:1-3 explains this:

• 1. The Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you
• 2. and test you
• 3. and allowed you to hunger

III. There was no other way/route for the Israelites to travel to the Promised Land

• God did not provide the Israelites with shortcuts to the Promised Land
• The Lord God took them through the most arid place under the scorching sun
• The Lord God did not provide the Israelites with their choice food or whatever they longed for.

IV. It is God who initiated to set free the Israelites from the bondage of sin and slavery

• Spiritually Egypt signifies the darkness of ignorance, obscurity; it has a special significance in the body consciousness, and we often think of it as referring to the subjective or subconscious mind. We also refer to Egypt as the flesh consciousness, sense consciousness, or material consciousness.
• The Israelites when they were serving the Egyptians for four hundred some years, cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard their cries.
• And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. (Exodus 3:7)

V. Wilderness is a type of narrow way/difficult way

• Unless a person has clear directions to reach their destination, he or she cannot complete their journey. So, guidance is required.
• In order to climb the highest peak on the Mount Everest, Sherpas are the only trained professionals who using their climbing skills to take the trekkers to reach the top of the mountain.
• Similarly in the wilderness Israelites needed the help of God throughout their journey.
• Even though Moses was the appointed leader to lead the group, God was the One who provided the guiding light.

VI. And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. (Exodus 13:21)

• God dwelled among the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
• The Lord God commanded Moses to build Him the Tent of Tabernacle.
• And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8)
• See, how loving is our God? He is so passionate about our feelings that He does not want to hurt us.
• Even in the wilderness God wanted to dwell with the people He loved the most.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for speaking to our hearts through Your Word today. Lord, we thank You for the way you guided the Israelites for forty years in the wilderness. Thank You for being a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire during the night time.

Father, we thank you for the assurance that You love us the same way You have loved the Israelites thousands of years ago. Thank You for granting us a better covenant through Your Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord, we are so grateful for Your loving kindness on us. May we cherish every breath that You have given to us to glorify You and to exalt You.

Father, we are looking forward to meet You in the mid-air any minute.

We ask all this in the mighty and precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Maranatha!
Our Lord, come.