Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

To be perfectly honest, when I signed on with this pilgrimage of faith I had no idea I would face so many dangers along the way. Like the “mixed multitude” who followed Israel on their Exodus from Egypt, all I wanted was to get as far from harm’s way as possible. As a foreigner (of Heinz 57 descent), I too had suffered under the thumb of the taskmaster of sin. I too had languished under God’s increasing judgments because of sin. So, when He placed the blood of the Passover Lamb over the doorpost of my miserable life and miraculously opened the way of escape, I was out of there. [i] I gladly joined the masses headed toward freedom in the Promised Land. It was as simple as that.

But God’s rendition of “simple” differs from mine. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer. He knew the Philistines would’ve swarmed them like flies on a smorgasbord. He also knew that after generations of living in slavery, the Israelites weren’t exactly equipped for that intense of a fight and would high tail it back to Egypt at first sign of war. So, He led them around by way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. [ii]

They had no idea that this safer route to the land of promise was through a harsh land of deserts and pits . . . a land of drought and of the shadow of death and deep darkness . . . a land that no man passes and where no man dwells.[iii] What environmental dangers might they face out there in no man’s land? What fearsome predators would be lurking in its harsh unknowns? To coin a famous phrase from the movie The Wizard of Oz, “Lions and tigers and bears! Oh my!”

But this shadow of death wilderness, with all of its hardships and challenges, its wild beasts and vipers, flying serpents and fierce raiders, was the route God chose. [iv] He who miraculously delivered them from the hand and power of the Egyptians was accompanying them on the trip. [v] He would provide. If they would but trust.

Despite the phenomenal miracles God did in the wilderness on their behalf, their eleven-day trip turned to 40 years. People grumbled and deplored their hardships. The Heinz 57 rabble that accompanied Israel became rebellious and lusted for familiar and dainty food back in Egypt. They incited Israel to despise God’s provision and do the same. [vi] 

Although the “rabble” eventually faded from the picture because they returned to Egypt or they perished in the wilderness, a significant number of Israel perished along with them because they refused to trust God and learn His ways. [vii]  

Finally, the glorious day of arrival at the Promised Land did come. The smaller, yet committed next generation of survivors, led by faithful Joshua and Caleb, stood at the shores of the Jordan River. On the other side, a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey—a land of plenty awaited them. [viii]  

As with any destiny story worth telling, there were hardships and challenges to overcome there as well before the land became theirs. It just so happened that back then seven various nations of “ites” already resided there. [ix] They didn’t take too kindly to intruders. Nor to the God ousting them. The fight was on.

Resist God in a world created by Him and for Him and sustained through Him—and serious problems await you. Teach Israel your abominable practices and you’re messing with the apple of God’s eye. Unabashedly defile His land with your pagan customs and gods, and He will make sure the land you defiled spews you out. [x] Judgment was long overdue. God was setting up shop with His Kingdom purposes and His chosen people. [xi]

My point in bringing up Israel’s wilderness and Promised Land stories isn’t to say who was good and who was evil, who’s in and who’s out. We all must decide who we'll follow. There is only one God who will justify Israel by faith and the mixed multitude through faith. [xii] 

It’s about making the faith journey with excellence. Trouble is, it’s difficult at times (for me anyway) to discern exactly where the wilderness ends and the promised land begins. Every which way I turn, I’m faced with new trials, and challenges, and opposing forces.

But as best as I can tell, after all Israel had been through in Egypt, God could have rolled out the red carpet and made the wilderness journey like a relaxing stay at a luxury resort. He could’ve removed all opposition in the Promised Land in one year. But He chose not to, lest the land become desolate (for lack of attention) and the wild beasts multiply against you. He drove the ungodly nations out little by little until Israel had increased and were numerous enough to take possession of His land. [xiii]  

The testing of our faith isn’t so God can expose our failings and disqualify us. He intends to use trials as instruments to produce discipline and spiritual growth in His people. [xiv] Why waste a good trial when it may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed? [xv] We must keep defying our fears, confronting our doubt and unbelief, tearing down enemy strongholds in our hearts, expanding God’s kingdom, until all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ Jesus. [xvi] 

Wilderness experiences will teach us to trust and obey so we can emerge having learned to lean on the arm of our Beloved. Challenges of the promised land will teach us to walk in our authority in Christ so we can rule and reign with Him for eternity. [xvii]

So, which will it be “Lions, tigers, and bears! Oh my!” or keep pressing forward into what God promises is ours? [xviii]

Photo by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash

[i] Exodus 13:14; Exodus 12:38; Exodus 7:14–11:10; Exodus 12:13–28

[ii] Exodus 13:17–18; Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:40

[iii] Jeremiah 2:6; Psalm 23:4

[iv] Isaiah 30:6; Ezekiel 34:5; Exodus 17: 8–13

[v] Exodus 13:21; Exodus 15–17; Deuteronomy 29:5

[vi] Numbers 11:1–5

[vii] Hebrews 3:15–19

[viii] Joshua 1; Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 11:9–12

[ix] Exodus 3:8; Joshua; Deuteronomy 7:1–5

[x] Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Romans 11:36; Zechariah 2:8; Deuteronomy 18:9; Leviticus 18:24–25

[xi] Genesis 17:8

[xii] Ephesians 3:30; Romans 3:22

[xiii] Exodus 23:27–30

[xiv] Judges 3:1–4

[xv] 1 Peter 1:6–9

[xvi] 2 Corinthians 1:20; Revelation 21:3

[xvii] Hosea 2:14; Ephesians 6:10–12; Luke 10:19; Psalm 144:1; 1 Timothy 6:12

[xviii] Numbers 13:30