A way Out

Most recently we discussed what experiencing God’s Kingdom and entering his rest looks like.  I think it’s most important to note that I would never have learned how to enter his rest had I not encountered those unexpected, undesirable, circumstances.  

In other words, just like the Old Testament Israelite people I had to go through a “wilderness” season in order to enter the “promise land”. I want to focus in on those final few pit-stops of their journey and how they were significant in transitioning from the wilderness to a place of rest.

Kadesh-Barnea

If you become familiar with the Israelite journey through the wilderness, you will find there was a period when they stalled for an entire 38 years in a place called Kadesh-Barnea (Deu. 2:3-14 KJV).  

I looked up the significance of that name and found it to mean the crossroads of final decision.  

The Israelites became fixed on how miserable their circumstances in the wilderness are instead of entirely trusting God and moving forward. They parked themselves, expecting their circumstances to change while God was teaching them to trust him and move forward, even in difficult circumstances. 

Remember, trusting means even though my situation looks ugly and hopeless, I’m trusting God it’s for my good. Often we exhaust all possible human resources prior to putting our trust in him.  Sadly, it took them 38 years to make that decision and take that step of faith.  

Sihon

Shortly after their move out of Kadesh-Barnea, they journeyed to their next pivotal stop: Sihon.  

When I looked up the significance of Sihon, I found it to mean: rooting out, conclusion.  (Deu. 2:24-31 KJV)

The wilderness wasn’t just a place of learning to trust God.  It was also a place of refining and up-rooting. God is able to use our difficult circumstances to remove the impurities or things that stand in the way of our relationship with him.  This point on their journey marked the conclusion, or near end of the wilderness.  

Beth-poer

Just prior to crossing the Jordan and approaching the promised land, the Israelites settled in a Valley called Beth-poer.  Beth-poer carries the meaning: opening (Deu. 3:29 KJV)
 

The most common misconception of the wilderness is my circumstances will never change and there is no way out.  Beth-poer represents God will make a way when there seems to be no way.

You see, when they were stationed in Kadesh-barnea, they didn’t know the way out for them was simply a few pit-stops away.  But they had to make the decision to trust God and move ahead even though it appeared like they were headed toward a dead end.  This is genuine faith, believing when all odds are against you.

Charles Stanley often shares this spiritual truth he learned from his grandfather, 

“If God tells you to run your head through a brick wall, start running. When you get to the wall, He’ll make a hole in it.” 
 
Supporting texts 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.(Matt. 11:28 kjv)

… narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt. 7:14 KJV)
 
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Pe. 1:11 KJV)
 
For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Co. 5:7 NIV)
 
 
 
 
 
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