The Journey

If you were asked, what is the most dominating or memorable biblical story in the OT, most would suggest the story of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to freedom.  The OT provides a detailed outline of the long, difficult journey out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the promise land.  This journey is very significant because it resembles our spiritual journey from the influence and bondage of our sinful nature.  

Egypt

It’s important to note that the children of Israel were unwillingly born into captivity and oppression.  

Likewise, from birth, we have been naturally conditioned or programed to live and pursue our fleshly desires.  Our fleshly desires are what drive and motivate us.  We get up every morning and do most of the things we do, so that we can satisfy the fleshly desires that we have developed with time.  

Because these desires dominate and motivate our actions, we are enslaved to them. In a way, we are trapped in an endless cycle of “I do everything I do so that I can satisfy myself”.  There is usually little to no purpose and meaning in that lifestyle.  It is simply a matter of time, and the effects of such lifestyle begin to emerge: feelings of emptiness and worthlessness. 

The Bible calls this place a spiritual wilderness.  

Wilderness

The wilderness was a very uncomfortable place for the children of Israel.  Similarly, a spiritual wilderness is not a pleasant experience. The undesirable circumstances of the wilderness cause us to seek a way out.  Everyone’s wilderness and outward circumstances are different, but the inner spiritual purposes are entirely the same. 

It reveals a need for a savior, because the circumstances we find ourselves in are beyond our control.  Moses was sent as a leader to the children of Israel to guide them through and out of the wilderness.  Likewise, Jesus was sent to us a spiritual leader and guide to follow.  

As long as the children of Israel listened to Moses, they made progress in the wilderness.  As long as we seek out Jesus and his commands, we will make spiritual progress.  Moses commanded the children of Israel…

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.  (Deu. 18:15 BSB)
 
 
The wilderness is a place of conversion and reprograming.  Where the pursuing of carnal desires is replaced with the pursing of spiritual desires.  Once you experience the satisfaction of your spiritual desires being met, it’s rewards so exceed the satisfaction of your carnal desires that you continuously, willingly lay them aside. When this occurs, progress out of the wilderness is made into a place of spiritual rest.  
 

Promised Land
 
Former ways of living under the bondage of our fleshly desire is gone and a new life of continuously satisfying the spiritual desire is embraced.  Meaning and purpose is found. 
 
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Cor 5:17 NLT)
 
This makes us true children of God.  We are now led by the spirit of God and not by our fleshly desires.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. (Rom. 8:14 NLT)
 
 
 
 
Supporting texts

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16 NIV)
 
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away…(James 1:14 NLT)
 
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Is. 43:19)