Topical Bible: God: Preserver in the Wilderness

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The concept of God as the Preserver in the Wilderness is a profound theme throughout the Bible, illustrating His providential care and guidance for His people during times of trial and desolation. This theme is most prominently displayed in the narrative of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt, as well as in various other biblical accounts where God provides for and sustains His people in barren and challenging environments.

The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings

The Exodus narrative is a foundational account that highlights God's role as Preserver in the Wilderness. After delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God led them through the wilderness for forty years. During this time, He provided for their physical needs in miraculous ways. In Exodus 16:4, God promises to rain down manna from heaven: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day.'" This daily provision of manna, along with quail (Exodus 16:13), ensured that the Israelites had sustenance throughout their journey.

Moreover, God provided water in the desert, a critical need in the arid wilderness. In Exodus 17:6, God instructs Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, resulting in water flowing out for the people to drink: "Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink." This miraculous provision underscores God's care and ability to sustain His people even in the most inhospitable conditions.

Guidance and Protection

In addition to physical sustenance, God also provided guidance and protection for the Israelites. He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, as described in Exodus 13:21: "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night." This divine guidance ensured that the Israelites remained on the path God had set for them, demonstrating His constant presence and oversight.

God's protection is further illustrated in His deliverance of the Israelites from their enemies. In Exodus 14, when the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites to the Red Sea, God parted the waters, allowing His people to cross on dry ground and then closing the waters over the Egyptians. This act of deliverance is a powerful testament to God's role as protector and preserver.

Lessons from the Wilderness Experience

The wilderness experience serves as a testing ground for the Israelites, revealing their dependence on God and His faithfulness to them. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 reflects on this period, stating, "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

This passage emphasizes the spiritual lessons learned in the wilderness, where reliance on God's word and provision becomes paramount. The wilderness is not only a place of physical preservation but also spiritual growth and dependence on God.

Other Biblical Examples

The theme of God as Preserver in the Wilderness is not limited to the Exodus narrative. Throughout the Bible, there are other instances where God provides for His people in desolate places. For example, in 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah flees to the wilderness and is sustained by an angel who provides him with food and water, enabling him to continue his journey to Mount Horeb.

Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus Himself experiences the wilderness during His forty days of fasting and temptation. In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus relies on the word of God to overcome the temptations of Satan, demonstrating the sustaining power of God's word even in the wilderness.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of God as the Preserver in the Wilderness is a powerful reminder of His unwavering care and provision for His people. Whether through miraculous sustenance, guidance, or protection, God demonstrates His faithfulness and ability to sustain His people in the most challenging circumstances. This theme encourages believers to trust in God's provision and guidance, even in their own wilderness experiences.

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Exodus 40:36-38
And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:
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Numbers 9:17-23
And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud stayed, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
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Numbers 10:33
And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
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Numbers 22:12
And God said to Balaam, You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people: for they are blessed.
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Numbers 23:8
How shall I curse, whom God has not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD has not defied?
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Deuteronomy 2:31
And the LORD said to me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before you: begin to possess, that you may inherit his land.
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Deuteronomy 23:5
Nevertheless the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam; but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because the LORD your God loved you.
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Library

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... that he is also a Governor and Preserver, and that ... events are evidences of the special
providence of God. In the wilderness God caused a south wind to blow, and ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

God Justified, Though Man Believes Not
... but two that came out of Egypt died in the wilderness. ... end well for you unless you
yield yourself to God. He is your Maker and Preserver; every argument we can ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/god justified though man believes.htm

The Rock of Ages
... the beginning of their wanderings in the wilderness; but not ... Christ the creator,
the preserver, the inspirer, the light ... they owed their knowledge of God, and of ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xiv the rock of.htm

On the Coming of Our Lord in the Flesh; Its Nature and Cause.
... and are preserved, [3419] their preserver must have ... infancy possessing the wisdom
of God, received with ... on that abundant provision in the wilderness, whereby a ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xi on the coming of.htm

The General Service to the Venerated and vivifying Cross.
... the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin ... the greatly desired One, Who
hath ascended unto God. ... and all-powerful cross; hail, the preserver of our ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iii the general service.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... omnipresent, omniscient, having all power, Creator, Preserver, and self ... mankind to
make their peace with God, to be ... Wilderness 40 2554 1603 Joshua 5:6; xiv.7.22 ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

On the Annunciation of Our Lady
... his spirit, the Life of his soul, and the Preserver and Guardian ... Then man will be
lifted up in himself by God above all powers into the wilderness of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon ix on the annunciation.htm

The Call of Levi the Publican Christ in Relation to the Baptist. ...
... so far as he is one of Marcion's god-made men ... 3816] having to himself both a creator
and preserver, and a ... calls him, "of one crying in the wilderness," and the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the call of levi.htm

Sermon.
... When the Devil tempted our Saviour in the wilderness, and could not ... not." He that
hath appeared, as a God of salvation, and a mighty preserver of his ...
/.../penn/a sermon preached at the quakers meeting house/sermon.htm

Weighed in the Balances
... If He be our Creator, Preserver, and Supreme Benefactor, we ... all be fulfilled." The
commandments of God given to ... to Israel), but in the wilderness, because the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm