One of things I hate the most is when a preacher starts breaking down the Old Testament stories into "stages" and says "this is what every Christian goes through. These are the stages of our Spiritual journey!" The truth is that there is a measure of truth to what these preachers say. I do not think, however, that it is as cut and dry as many make it out to be and I often think they take it to the extreme, but there is truth nonetheless.
Israel was lead into a time of exile. 40 years in a desert just wandering around in circles before God took them into the promised land. It is important to remember that this is the history of a nation of people and not about individuals. It is not the rule that God leads His people in deserts, and to look at this passage and say "well this is a physical example of what God does spiritually for us now by leading us through spiritual deserts" might be a bit of stretch, and even a misuse of the text. It is, however, showing us that God is willing to lead us into times of great struggle and pain: a concept not very often talked about in prosperity-gospel churches.
We also learn from their exile that God is faithful to provide, just as he did with King Nebuchadnezzar that He sent into exile to be as a wild animal for 7 years and with Adam and Eve after the Fall. God leads us into periods of exile for the purpose of our growth and purging of sin.
Jacob went into exile for the sake of protecting himself from his brother whom he robbed of the birthright, and God met him there in his exile and changed him. When the time was right he was restored to his brother and peace was made.
Elijah too threw himself into exile to escape the wrath of an evil queen, in which God never rebuked, but instead provided him with the strength to travel to where He would reveal Himself to Elijah and ask "Why are you here?" God, knowing all, asked Elijah why he was there, gave him the opportunity to engage with Him, and to experience Him in an incredible way. From there God led him on to anoint those who would take his place and then took him up into heaven.
Exile often is painful, but it is also the tool by which God mends our hearts, changes our desires, and grants protection. It is the tool that keeps us safe from broken and destructive family situations until such time as reconciliation can be achieved.
Sometimes exile is necessary, even if it isn't exactly desirable or even causes one to sacrifice something precious to him or her. There are times where God exiles us, we exile others, and we exile ourselves for the sake of holiness, healing, or even love. It's rarely ever an enjoyable venture, but is more often required than we are willing to admit.
The question becomes, if exile becomes necessary, will we follow the Spirit's leading by going into exile or by commissioning another to exile? Or will we resist Him until He forces it upon us?
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
We also learn from their exile that God is faithful to provide, just as he did with King Nebuchadnezzar that He sent into exile to be as a wild animal for 7 years and with Adam and Eve after the Fall. God leads us into periods of exile for the purpose of our growth and purging of sin.
Jacob went into exile for the sake of protecting himself from his brother whom he robbed of the birthright, and God met him there in his exile and changed him. When the time was right he was restored to his brother and peace was made.
Elijah too threw himself into exile to escape the wrath of an evil queen, in which God never rebuked, but instead provided him with the strength to travel to where He would reveal Himself to Elijah and ask "Why are you here?" God, knowing all, asked Elijah why he was there, gave him the opportunity to engage with Him, and to experience Him in an incredible way. From there God led him on to anoint those who would take his place and then took him up into heaven.
Exile often is painful, but it is also the tool by which God mends our hearts, changes our desires, and grants protection. It is the tool that keeps us safe from broken and destructive family situations until such time as reconciliation can be achieved.
Sometimes exile is necessary, even if it isn't exactly desirable or even causes one to sacrifice something precious to him or her. There are times where God exiles us, we exile others, and we exile ourselves for the sake of holiness, healing, or even love. It's rarely ever an enjoyable venture, but is more often required than we are willing to admit.
The question becomes, if exile becomes necessary, will we follow the Spirit's leading by going into exile or by commissioning another to exile? Or will we resist Him until He forces it upon us?
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
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