EMBRACING THE WILDERNESS

Introduction

• As we come to the close of our study through Exodus, the Israelites have learned how to endure the wilderness but haven’t really embraced it yet.

• God had given them physical provision, but they needed to embrace His spiritual provision.

• God didn’t want them to just build a campfire or set up a tent community; God called them to build a sanctuary in the middle of the sand. Why?

• To help His people worship Him in the midst of the wilderness.

• ILLUSTRATION:

Share this story about a couple discovering literal buried treasure in their backyard.

• As a child, I was captivated by the idea of discovering buried treasure. Blame Peter Pan for this weird hobby. Like the captain in that story, I was hooked. Little shovel in hand, I unearthed broken bottles, random car parts, a Barbie doll, and what looked to be an extremely rare coin. Gleefully, I dusted off the coin and ran home to show it to my grandmother. The coin looked old, really old, so I assumed she could help me evaluate my treasure. Peering at the coin through her glasses, she remarked, “This is very interesting.”

• “How much is it worth?” I asked.

• “Twenty-five cents,” she replied with a smirk. With a little cleaning, the rust-toned coin transformed into a shiny silver quarter. “It’s only three years old. This can buy you a gumball at the hair salon.”

• Some people are luckier than I was in 2013, a California couple was playing with their dog in their backyard. Their game of fetch was interrupted when they noticed a rusty can poking out of the clay. Carefully, they picked it up and shook it. What they heard was music to their ears. The sound of money reverberated from the can. The confused couple opened the rusty vessel to discover nearly one hundred $20 gold coins. They kept looking around their property only to discover dozens more cans filled with hundreds more coins. All in all, they found over 1,000 coins on the outskirts of the desert.

• You might be thinking, “I’ve never heard of a $20 gold coin.” Exactly. These metal circles are extremely rare. These coins were pressed from 1847 to 1894. Back then, America’s currency was unstable and ever-changing. Thus, collectors would be chomping at the bit to see them. Even at face value, they had nearly $20,000 worth of currency sitting in their backyard. However, each coin was worth far more than twenty bucks. Most of those coins sold somewhere between $500,000 and $1,000,000. To this day, this unexpected couple has found one of the most valuable buried treasures in North America—and they weren’t even looking for it.

Tension

• Buried treasure in the desert has consumed explorers for centuries.

• People obsess over it, spend fortunes trying to find it, and watch cheesy television shows about it.

• The Israelites found themselves in a desert, yes.

• Was there any buried treasure? No.

• They were in an uncharted land, so the chance of finding a treasure chest full of coins and snacks was close to zero.

• But God gave them gift after gift and treasure after treasure while in the desert, going so much further than quail and manna.

• Last time, we dissected Israel’s physical provision in the wilderness. God supernaturally gave them food, water, and shelter.

• He provided for their physical needs, but that was only a small portion of God’s plan. • Sure, God wanted them to rely on him for their physical needs.

• But, one goal was far more important: God wanted them to rely on Him for their spiritual needs.

• This is where we begin to see the treasure within the wilderness.

• Not to get ahead of ourselves, but that treasure is found in the true God.

• At this point in their history, Israel was well acquainted with the wilderness. The desert had become their dwelling place.

• After a lot of frustration, God’s people were finally starting to build their own nation.

• God gave them laws, established a government, and continued to provide for their physical needs.

• Now, it was time to seal the deal. They needed a place to worship.

• In Exodus 25, God gave the Israelites detailed instructions on how to build the “Tent of Meeting.”

• They were to build a portable sanctuary complete with places to worship, sacrifice, pray, and experience God’s presence.

• I love the fact that Israel’s first temple was portable, proving that God desired to be with them wherever they traveled.

• Their surroundings would change, but their God would remain steady.

• Why did God want them to build the Tent of Meeting in the first place?

• It was to give His people comfort when life was changing, structure when their journey was chaotic, and safety when their surroundings were scary.

• Their portable sanctuary blessed them with a sense of security in the wilderness. 

• Just like Israel, your time in the wilderness will give you spiritual treasures.

• Look for them, cling to them, and embrace them. Can’t see them?

• Stop grumbling, keep your eyes open, and ensure your heart is ready to receive. 

• Here are three treasures that await you in the wilderness

Festivals

• Let’s step into a time machine and go back to the intro of Exodus. Moses stood before Pharaoh, stuttering over his words and fidgeting with his staff, to make a bold proclamation.

• He said, “This is what the LORD, God of Israel, says.

• This passage blows my mind because it reveals that the wilderness was not a surprise.

• It was always part of the plan. God wanted His people to celebrate their festivals in the middle of the desert. • It wasn’t a detour; it was their destiny.

• What does Moses mean by festivals? Don’t imagine a carnival with cheesy games and dangerous rides.

• Think of these as big holiday services at your local church.

• Everyone shows up, dressed in their Sunday best, and celebrates the resurrection or the birth.

• These are beautiful moments that we crave all year round.

• Religious festivals were central to Jewish life. Jewish believers had nearly a dozen religious festivals defined by worship, sacrifice, and feasting.

• God wanted them to hold their festivals outside of captivity and within the wilderness.

• God wanted His people to learn how to worship in the wilderness.

• A lot of you are in a wilderness season. I am sorry to hear that. In the spiritual desert, everything seems barren, dead, and desolate.

• Whether you’re longing for a different life, mending a bruised identity, or desperately searching for answers, you are in good company.

• Vast sections of the Bible follow the stories of fellow wanderers, seekers, and campers.

• Worship in the wilderness.

• Lift your hands despite your aching.

• Pray and sing loudly despite your hoarse voice.

• Allow the desert to draw you closer to your Deliverer.

• You will find freedom there.

• Wrap your mind around this: Israel was forced to build palaces, pyramids, and temples for people that hated them.

• Nine generations of building, sweating, and working without getting to step foot in the finished product. Look how far they’d come.

• They were free now! They could use their excruciating experiences to build structures for their own people that their families would get to enjoy.

• Thanks to their freedom, they had built their own homes, and now it was time to build a House of the Lord.

• The story of Exodus is the story of freedom. God’s plan for Israel then is the same plan He has for you now. God wants you to walk in freedom, live out your freedom, and share freedom with your friends.

• Exodus is proof that true liberation cannot exist outside of God’s presence.

• That’s why building a portable sanctuary was so important.

• Sadly, Israel was prone to shortsighted thinking.

• They thought that freedom was solely found outside of Egypt.

• That’s only partially true.

• True freedom is not just escaping Egypt; it’s experiencing God.

• We can fall into the same faulty thinking. We assume that freedom is only found in leaving something behind.

• Freedom is not just escaping an unhealthy relationship, stopping bad behavior, or overcoming a negative thought pattern.

• That’s only partial freedom.

• True freedom is found when you escape what’s holding you back and embrace Jesus.

• Both steps are critical for experiencing the true gift of freedom.

• Why did God want the Israelites in the wilderness? Why did God ask them to build a sanctuary? Why did God set them free in the first place?

• The answer to all those questions is found in Exodus 25:8. God said,

• God wants to be with you. It’s as simple as that.

• He longs for fellowship with His followers.

• Sometimes it requires a trip through the wilderness to help us see that God authentically wants to dwell with us.

• The tabernacle served as a tangible product of a spiritual principle.

• God was with the Israelites every step of the way.

• When plagues shook their enslavers, God was near.

• When God protected their children during the Passover, God was near.

• When the Red Sea ripped in half, God was near.

• When they felt stuck in the wilderness, God was near.

• This concept is true for you too. God is near—right now.

• Even in the wilderness, embrace God’s nearness. God surrounds you in the same way the ocean surrounds a coral reef. Above, below, around, beside— He’s all around you.

• That’s especially true in the wilderness.

• Landing:

When was the last time you felt God’s presence in a real, unmistakable way?

• If it’s been a while, the wilderness may be on the way.

• God uses wilderness seasons to help you set up camp with your Creator.

• The wilderness removes your distractions, uproots your plans, and purifies your perspective.

• Thank God for desert seasons because they’ll leave you forever changed.

• You’ll learn to worship, find full freedom, and eventually embrace God’s nearness in the wilderness.

• The Promised Land awaits you; just worship while waiting.

• God’s promise will come to pass, just worship while you’re waiting.

Talk it out

 Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week, and what was the lowest part of your week?

Q1: What is the coolest thing you’ve ever found?

Q2: What stuck out to you from this message?

Q3: What are some ways wilderness seasons are actually good for us?

Q4: “True freedom is found when you escape what’s holding you back and embrace Jesus.” What do you think this means?

Q5: What does it look like to worship in the wilderness?

Reading Plan

Read this passage in order everyday

Exodus 23

Exodus 24

Exodus 25

Exodus 26

Exodus 27

Exodus 28

Exodus 29-30

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.