Wondering In The Wilderness

PP0815 DATE

WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS!

Deuteronomy 2:1-7

De 2:1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. (Notice that statement “into the wilderness” They went into the wilderness and never came out.

2 And the LORD spake unto me, saying,

3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

4 And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:

5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.

6 Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.

7 For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing. (KJV)

Most everything I preach could be categorized into two themes: Salvation or Christian Growth. I guess that could be called “preventive medicine.”

Every Christian is on a journey from being born again unto life eternal or the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb. That journey will take us through all parts of an earthly voyage. Jesus said, (John 17:16 KJV) "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." We must live in the world – but must not be of the world.

“The children of Esau” represent the world, the flesh, or temporal things. Jacob or Israel represent the spiritual life.

The Israelites were commanded to go through the land of Esau but not stay nor dwell nor get involved in their life style. The only participation they were to have with them was to buy food and water. They were to only take the necessities for sustaining life. They were to pay for what they used. The Christian should not be indebted to the world. I am not speaking of buying on payments or long term loans, but rather don’t owe the lost crowd a favor. Don’t be entangled with them. They were to pass through Edom as rapidly as possible. Why is it that so many Christians seem to linger in the land of the worldly things. Many go to those places to shop, to be entertained, or on vacation. Why is that? I know why it is. They like to participate in the things of the world.

There are four distinct lessons for Christians in this portion of God’s Word for us to learn today.

These lessons are:

The Warning Of God. Vs. 3-5;

The Worldliness Of The People. Vs. 1;

The Wrath Of God. Vs. 14-15.

The Wonderfulness Of The Lord. Vs. 7;

I. THE WARNING OF GOD Vs. 3-5.

(Deu 2:3 KJV) "Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward."

They had been walking in circles for nearly 40 years. Every few months they would be covering the same ground over and over again. Always moving, but not going anywhere. Working hard, and getting tired, but staying in the same old place day after day.

Remember the application earlier. The mountain is Mt. Seir. Seir is the home area of Esau. Esau represents the fleshly or worldly faction of a Christian. Israel and Esau were kinfolk.

A. God Warned Them Of Their Position.

1. Where they were.

a. Mt. Seir.

b. The way of the world – the way of the flesh.

2. Where they were going.

a. Northward. Do you remember what we talked about 2 or 3 weeks ago about Abraham looking Northward, Southward, Eastward, and Westward.

b. Their destination was north. Canaan. Not South – East – nor West.

c. God is in the North.

d. We must not forget our destination. Everyday our walk should be taking us ccloser to God.

We must always be walking toward God and with God. 1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)

B. God Warns You Of Your Position.

1. Are you saved?

2. If not, He warns of you of doom and destruction.

3. If you are saved – He warns:

a. To live right.

b. Work hard for the cause of Christ. Don’t just slide through life.

C. He Warned Them Concerning Their Journey. Vs. 4&5.