Throughout the book of Exodus we discover so many parallels of Christ. Consider a few:
- Both were born to be a savior of God’s people.
- Both were rescued from an evil ruler at birth.
- Both lived in Egypt for a time.
- Both encountered ‘silent years’ before their ministries began.
- Both went to a mountain top and delivered divine truth.
- Both nearly experienced being stoned to death.
- Both spent time in the wilderness before their ministries were launched.
It is this last one that I want to spend some time on this morning. Why?
Because lessons in the wilderness are always life-changing.
Having earned a degree from the most prestigious university in the world, The Temple of the Sun, Moses is now entering a different university: GWU – God’s Wilderness University.
In the wilderness:
- It may be crowded with many people, yet very lonely.
- It may rain day and night yet be baren.
- Flowers may bloom and trees may blossom all around you, yet it feels desolate.
During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. Exodus 2:23
And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel – and God knew. Exodus 2:24-25
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Exodus 3:1
Core Classes For God’s Wilderness University
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- Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro…
- Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly (humble) in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
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- Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Exodus 3:1
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- “Now when forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.” Acts 7:30
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- “Something painful happened to me. This is how I met it: I was quiet for a while with the Lord, and then I wrote these words for myself:”
First, he brought me here, it is by his will I am in this straight place, and in that fact I will rest.
Next, he will keep me here in his love, and he will give me grace as his child.
Then, he will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons he intends me to learn, and working in me the grace he needs to bestow.
Last, in his good time he can bring me out again – how and when only he knows.
Let me say I am here, first, by God’s appointment; second, in his keeping; third, under his training; fourth, for his time.” — Dr. Raymon Edman