The Wilderness Experience – Daily Spiritual Manna

Then the Spirit led Yeshua [Jesus] up into the wilderness to be tempted by the Adversary. Matthew 4:1

Preface

Yeshua, our beloved faithful witness of God Almighty, [see Revelation 1:5-6] fasted and was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for 40 days and nights. This period of testing came right after His immersion and before the fulfillment of the prophetic start of His public ministry.

If the Son of God faced trials and temptations, how much more will His faithful followers undergo trials, testing, and preparation leading up to His return? The wilderness is a place of proving one’s faithfulness, reliance on the Holy Scriptures, and readiness for our daily public witness and the coming end-time prophecies.

Within this blog post by using the imagery of the wilderness and desert, we hope to convey practical if not profound spiritual lessons for today’s Believers in Christ.

Featured Biblical Reference

Isaiah 35:1-2

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.

Isaiah 35:1-2, with its vivid symbolism of transformation and joy in the wilderness, can be viewed as a prophetic glimpse of the spiritual renewal and redemption that Jesus brings. His life and ministry are seen as the fulfillment of this prophetic vision, turning spiritual desolation into abundant life and revealing the glory and splendor of God.

In addition in the passage, one can see the compelling mental image of the wilderness and desert, conveying profound spiritual lessons for faithful followers of Christ in this generation. In the latter portion of this blog post, we will explore some efficient spiritual lessons from this portion of Holy Scripture.

References to Wilderness and Desert in the Holy Scriptures

The terms wilderness and desert appear frequently throughout the Holy Scriptures, signifying both literal geographic locations and symbolic spiritual experiences.

In the Old Covenant, wilderness in Hebrew is midbar appearing frequently in describing the Israelites’ exodus and their 40 years of wandering [Exodus 16:1, Numbers 14:33, Deuteronomy 8:2.]

Desert in Hebrew is midbar or arabah, which communicates places of refuge, testing, and divine encounters [Genesis 16:7, 1 Kings 19:4, Isaiah 35:1].

In the New Covenant, wilderness in Greek is eremos which is significant in the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus’ temptation. [See Matthew 3:1, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2].

The Desert is translated from eremos which describes a place for retreat and testing. [Matthew 4:1, Mark 1:13, Luke 4:42].

Theological Reflections

The Wilderness and or the Desert is an appointed space for spiritual formation, where individuals are stripped of their usual needs, supports, and distractions. Becoming obedient to entering into this space will open one’s will to God’s voice which is the very best pathway to spiritual transformation.

In addition, the spiritual wilderness experiences often precede significant ministries or deeper spiritual transformation that becomes an individual newly assigned calling or commissioning in God’s plan for their lives.

Lastly, the wilderness journey symbolizes the spiritual pathway of moving from desolation to an enhanced revelation, and from being barren to that of spiritual blessedness.

God’s speaking to the hearts of those who embark on such a journey will be blessed as He guides, renders instructions, and nurtures the souls of those who are obedient to His will.

As a reference, wilderness in the King James Version is recorded 300 times, and in the New International Version, around 260 times. Desert in KJV is recorded over 50 times and likewise with the NIV.

Key Biblical figures with Wilderness Experiences

Moses

After fleeing from Egypt, Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness of Midian before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This period was crucial for his development and preparation for his leadership role. Exodus 2:15-3:22

The Israelites

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years after their exodus from Egypt. This was a time of testing their faith, obedience, and dependence on God for sustenance. Exodus 13:17-18, Numbers 14:34.

Elijah

After confronting the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled into the wilderness to escape Jezebel’s threat. He encountered God in a gentle whisper and received renewed purpose and strength in his desolation. 1 Kings 19:1-18

John the Immerser

John the Immerser lived in the wilderness, where he preached repentance and prepared the way for the Messiah. His ascetic lifestyle and message called people to spiritual renewal. Matthew 3:1-4, Luke 1:80

Our Messiah’s Wilderness Experience

Jesus’ fasting in the desert for 40 days and His confrontation with Satan is rich in spiritual meaning and has deep ramifications for Biblical theology and practice.

The Master’s 40 days in the desert and His victory over Satan’s temptations are a profound manifestation of His divine mission, His identification with humanity, and His example of perfect obedience and reliance on God. This event lays a foundation for His ministry and provides a model for each faithful follower to demonstrate in their spiritual journey.

The desert where Jesus fasted is a powerful symbol of the fallen world post-Eden. It reflects the brokenness, struggle, and spiritual desolation that resulted from humanity’s disobedience.

Yet, in this bleak setting, Jesus’ triumph over temptation and steadfast obedience provide hope for redemption and restoration to both the earth and humanity. The desert thus serves both as a mirror of the consequences of the fall and as a stage for the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.

Modern-day faithful disciples of the Messiah can learn the following lessons from Jesus’ wilderness experience:

Initially, just as the wilderness prepared Messiah and others for their missions, believers can see their trials as preparation for their calling and purpose. Our Heavenly Father uses difficult times to equip and strengthen His people.

The wilderness experience teaches His children deep reliance on Him. As Messiah depended on the Word of God to counteract temptation, faithful followers of Messiah must rely upon the importance of the Holy Scriptures in overcoming life’s challenges.

Another lesson is that of spiritual growth. It is usually during these periods of trials, tribulation, and temptations that God uses to produce an increase in spiritual growth and transformation. This is done by stripping of distractions and vices which lead to a deeper relationship with God.

One’s faith is tested and refined in the wilderness experience. No one will know just how they will respond to life’s challenges until they experience them. Thus the wilderness experiences will strengthen character and one’s faithfulness.

In addition, the wilderness experience will lead to profound intimate encounters with God Almighty, for it is only Him who will provide guidance, comfort, and blessed reassurance during life’s greatest challenges. What a tremendous time to see and experience His revealed presence that yields new direction and purpose!

Lastly, faithful followers of the Messiah will be endowed with victory through a new increase of faithfulness. As Messiah was successfully able to emerge from wilderness experiences with a greater sense of purpose and victory, His followers likewise will.

Practical Spiritual Lessons from Isaiah 35:1-2

The first lesson within this text is transformation and renewal. The wilderness and desert typically are seen as barren and desolate, yet only by God’s power and will can the wilderness become transformed into a place of you and beauty.

Within the lives of all of God’s children, there will be times of personal dryness or spiritual barrenness. These are the times one can hold onto the hope of renewal. Just as the desert can blossom, our lives can also experience rejuvenation and growth through faith and God’s divine intervention.

The next imagery of the desert blossoming signifies hope and the promise of future joy. Please note the verse did not say “happiness” but joy, which is a by-product of the Holy Spirit of God. Galatians 5:22-23. This spiritual virtue of joy operates just like faith, in that spiritual joy encourages the believer to rejoice even in anticipation of what is yet to come.

As the desert is flourishing in the text, this miracle reflects God’s “in Time” glory and majesty within the fallen world. This manifestation communicates the next lesson for His people. It is only God’s presence that brings life, beauty, and abundance to even the bleakness of the wilderness. What a most powerful means of encountering God’s divine presence and glory! Amen

Within God’s plan of redemption, the supernatural blessings of restoration and healing are manifested in the text. Seeing the literal transformation of the desert into a blooming landscape symbolizes healing and renewal. For each faithful follower of Messiah, one can embrace the belief in personal and corporate healing and restoration.

Looking again at the text, the blossoming crocus in the desert represents spiritual growth and beauty emerging from the place of adversity. Only then can God’s people understand that personal and spiritual growth often comes through enduring and overcoming life’s challenges.

Lastly, this magnificent text reflects the very fulfillment of God’s covenantal promises. Just as the desert will rejoice and blossom, our Heavenly Father’s promise brings each of His faithful followers hope and certainty.

The Body of Messiah is called now and forevermore to trust in the faithfulness of God’s eternal promises. We do so by daily relying on the Holy Scriptures, the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit of God which supplies our supernatural faith and assurance in all matters of our spirituality in this desolate place called our Wilderness Experience.

Grace and Peace

Brother Alonzo