FROM THIS WEEK’S TORAH PORTION – BEMIDBAR:

Vadabeir YHWH el Moshe bemidbar Sinai... ~ “And spoke YHWH unto Moshe in the wilderness of Sinai...”

As we begin the fourth book of Torah, we are presented with the image of a vast host of people preparing to cross a great and lonely wilderness on the way to a promised land that is chalav ud’vash – “flowing with milk and honey.” We know this trek will be sadly interrupted and will result in forty years of wandering in a desolate place where many will fall because of disobedience. It is surely punishment of an incredible duration and magnitude. It is horrible to our mind’s eye and imagination.

Every person who comes to faith in YHWH and chooses to walk in the footsteps of Yehoshua will also pass through a time in the wilderness. Many of you who are reading this have already done so, some have yet to enter, and others are there even now. When it is our turn, most of us “kick against the goads,” rejecting this seemingly intolerable and unnecessary fate, and resenting YHWH for putting us through it all. We cry, “Why Abba?” and we wonder where grace and mercy are. Yet this seemingly excessive or unnecessary punishment is self-inflicted – we bring it upon ourselves. Soon after we first pray and repent, then turn and are saved, we quickly demonstrate our lack of faith by turning back once again to disobedience. Then, because of our own actions, YHWH has no real choice but to subject us to the ordeal of the wilderness.

YHWH disciplines His sons and daughters whom He loves, but not in order to visit revenge upon them and hurt them. He does it in order to teach and purify them for Himself, to bring them perfected and whole into His promised land. Those who are wicked He leaves to fate alone. The wilderness is where we become the righteous people we are meant to be if we are truly His – the Qedoshim, the Bride of the Most-High. There is no other way to accomplish this, so we should embrace this time in our lives and make the best use of it that we can. Some will not. Some will plod along as they have always done, actually doing and becoming little or nothing. Some will make great plans, promises and vows, but will not follow through on them. Some will fall away and perish. That has already been prophesied. But those who endure and remain will emerge from this iron furnace refined as zahav tahor – pure gold, fit for the King.

The haftarah for Parshath Bemidbar shows us the difference between our own frightful perception of the wilderness ordeal, and that of YHWH. We think of it as only a terrible punishment and an evil turn of events in our lives. But, of this time, He says,

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly unto her.”

It is only in the wilderness that YHWH can get our full and complete attention then show us all that He wants and has planned for us. He is wooing you to Him even now. If you will come, then He has a promise for you:

V’eirastiyk liy l’olam; v’eirastiyk liy b’tzedek uv’mishphat uv’chesed uv’rachamim; v’eirastiyk liy be’emunah, v’yada’ath et YHWH ~ “I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you to Me in righteousness, and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness; and you shall know YHWH.”

What will you do? Please, listen for His voice in the wilderness, brethren. Don’t fight it, complain or turn away from Him. He is calling to you. Then, answer Him in faithfulness and obedience. Claim your place at the wedding supper of the bride. Through the wilderness with Him is the only way there.