Reflective Practices for Kingdom Living

March 28, 2009

 

If I asked you to go home today and pack a small suitcase or backpack because we were going into the wilderness tomorrow what would you think about that idea? How would you feel?

 

Pause for the group responses – fear, hesitation, concern for welfare, refused to go?

 

According to Random House Online Dictionary (2009)

 

Wilderness is defined as a wild and uncultivated region, as of forest or desert, uninhabited or inhabited only by wild animals; a tract of wasteland.

 

 

The American Heritage Dictionary (2009) defines the wilderness in a similar way.

Wilderness is:

• An unsettled, uncultivated region left in its natural condition, especially:
• A large wild tract of land covered with dense vegetation or forests.
• An extensive area, such as a desert or ocean, that is barren or empty; a waste.
• A piece of land set aside to grow wild.
• Something characterized by bewildering vastness, perilousness, or unchecked profusion: the wilderness of the city; the wilderness of counterespionage; a wilderness of voices.

According to the Eaton Bible Dictionary in the O.T., the word describes the physical space of wilderness of Beersheba (Gen. 21:14), on the southern border of Palestine; the wilderness of the Red Sea (Ex. 13:18); of Shur (Ex. 15:22), a portion of the Sinai Peninsula; Sinai (Lev. 7:38), Moab (Deut. 2:8), and Judah (Judge. 1:16),

The words that are associated with the specific locations are consistent with the dictionary meaning of the term wilderness. For instance,  Jeshimon, a “desert waste” (Deut. 32:10; Ps. 68:7); Arabah, the name given to the valley from the Dead Sea to the eastern branch of the Red Sea. In Deut. 1:1; 2:8, it is rendered "plain" (R.V., "Arabah"). (4.) Tziyyah, a "dry place" (Ps. 78:17; 105:41). (5.) Tohu, a "desolate" place, a place "waste" or "unoccupied" (Deut. 32:10; Job 12:24; comp. Gen. 1:2, "without form").

Wilderness is used in a symbolic way in Isa. 22:1. Jerusalem is the "valley of vision," rich in spiritual husbandry; whereas Babylon, the rival centre of influence, is spiritually barren and as restless as the sea (comp. 57:20)."

The wilderness region in the Sinai Peninsula through which for forty years the Hebrews wandered is generally styled "the wilderness of the wanderings." This region which is so important in many faith traditions is interesting for many reasons.  The region is in the shape of a triangle, having its base toward the north and its apex toward the south. Its extent from north to south is about 250 miles, and at its widest point it is about 150 miles broad. Throughout this vast region of some 1,500 square miles there is not a single river. The northern part of this triangular peninsula is properly the "wilderness of the wanderings" (et-Tih). The western portion of it is called the "wilderness of Shur" (Ex. 15:22), and the eastern the "wilderness of Paran." The "wilderness of Judea" (Matt. 3:1) is a wild, barren region, lying between the Dead Sea and the Hebron Mountains. It is the "Jeshimon" mentioned in 1 Sam. 23:19.

I’m interested in other views of wilderness which are also denoted in the Scripture. Wilderness is a Hebrew word denoting not a barren desert but a district or region suitable for pasturing sheep and cattle (Ps. 65:12; Isa. 42:11; Jer. 23:10; Joel 1:19; 2:22); an uncultivated place. "The wilderness of the sea" (Isa. 21:1). Meant to describe Babylon (see especially ver. 9), perhaps because it became the place of discipline to God's people, as the wilderness of the Red Sea had been (comp. Ezek. 20:35).

Summary Points

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT REFERS TO GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS

Genesis 21:14            And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

 

Genesis 21:20            And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

 

Genesis 21:21            And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

 

WILDERNESS IS WHERE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE DIRECTION FROM GOD

 

Exodus 4:27, where Aaron met Moses in the wilderness after three days and heard the word of God to approach Pharaoh to set the Israelites free so that they may hold a feast in the desert – where they will go to serve God.

 

WILDERNESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH NEEDS AND SCARCITY

 

As the exodus story continues when the people of Israel wander in the desert and revolt against their leaders when they were without food or drink and question whether they were bought to the wilderness to die.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE FOR REPENTANCE AND ATONEMENT

As in Leviticus when Aaron sacrificed  the “scape”goat.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

as seen in Exodus, Chapter 2.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE THAT WHERE GOD IS CONFRONTED

 

Psalm 78:17    And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

 

Psalm 78:19    Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

 

Psalm 78:40    How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

 

Psalm 78:52    But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

 

Psalm 95:8      Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OR REVELATION

 

In Exodus 2, the story continues with the Lord appearing to his people in a cloud in the wilderness of Sinai.

 

Moses receiving the 10 commandments – the story of the burning bush (Exodus 3). As described in

Acts 7:30:

And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE TO WAIT TO HEAR THE WORD

 

2 Samuel 15:28  See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

 

Luke 3:2          Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE TO SEEK AND RECEIVE THE GIFTS OF GOD – GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR US

 

2 Samuel 17:29

And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF GUIDANCE, SHEPHERDING, AND SALVATION

 

Psalm 106:9   

He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

 

 

Acts 7:36         He brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

 

Luke 15:4        What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF TEMPTATION

 

Matthew 4:1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Mark 1:13       And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE TO PREACH AND SAVE OTHERS

 

Matthew 3:1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

 

 

Mark 1:3         The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

Luke 1:4          John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

 

 

Luke 3:4          As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

 

WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF PRAYER AND FEELING THE PRESENCE OF GOD

 

Luke 4:1          And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

 

Luke 5:16        And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

 

Luke 7:24        And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

 

Luke 8:29        (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

 

 

Reflective Practice – Wilderness Experience (Allow 20 minutes)

 

To be done only in  a safe environment. If done alone, participate as long as you feel safe to visualize or as long as you feel that you are in control. You have the ability to stop the imagining at any time if it becomes disturbing. You can gain insight and deal with your wilderness in small steps in needed. You may also want to do this exercise with others so that you will have the opportunity to share your experience.

 

Follow my voice as I guide your experience. Remember that I’m only your guide. You control your experience.

 

I want you to quieten yourself. Quieten your mind.  Become aware of your physical space. Pay attention to how you are sitting in your chair. Are you comfortable? Do you feel restricted? Are your feet flat on the floor? Do you need to loosen a collar or take off your shoes. Get as comfortable as possible. Orient yourself in the room and then stop paying attention to where you are and who is around you. Focus on your physical self and reduce all tension that you may feel in any part of your body.

 

Now I want you to attend to your breathing. Inhale in very slowly and then exhale. Pay attention to how your chest is rising and falling. Think about the diaphragm that separates your lungs and upper cavity. Think about how your diaphragm rises and falls as you breathe slowly and deeply. Pay attention to your stomach muscles. When you breathe in deep long breaths your lungs are filled and your diaphragm moves. A good breath will make your stomach pooch out. Continue to focus on your breathing.

 

I want you to sit quietly for a few minutes and visualize what God’s wilderness looks like for you today. Our wilderness can be different throughout our lives. But what is the wilderness for you today? This is a safe place to just glimpse at that wilderness. We are not going to explore it but just get a sense of what’s there. Remember god gives us what he knows we can handle, the amount that we can handle.

 

Let your mind wander to the image of your wilderness as you continue to breathe slowly.

 

Is this a wilderness of discernment – are you looking for answers? Are you praying for direction? Do you need to go to the wilderness to pray?

 

Is your wilderness seeking atonement? Are you seeking forgiveness of yourself or from someone else? Are you letting go of something that you have held onto for too long?

 

Is your wilderness a place of blessing? Is it full of hope and joy and you can see

a new beginning.

 

Are you being shepherded by God? Can you feel God’s presence in your life and he is guiding your path?

 

Is your wilderness a place where you can go and be quiet and be still? There are no burning bushes there and there is no need to argue with God. Your wilderness is a place for you to “be”. It is a place to feel the presence of God.

 

I want you to continue to sit quietly and listen. Sit and visualize your wilderness. At any time that you become uncomfortable or pain, pull back from your wilderness. This might not be the time to explore it. Remember that God is with you and will not allow you to suffer. That you are in a safe place. Before you leave, I want you to whisper a short prayer. A few words. Bring back with you the insight that you have gained by just peering into your wilderness.

 

Now I want you to open your eyes and just sit quietly until everyone is back from their wilderness experience. I will ask you to share your experience if you are comfortable in doing so. We will also do a check with everyone before they leave to make sure that you are okay with the reflection time.