One of the greatest stories of the bible is the exodus from Egypt and the experiences of Israel. As I read and study these inspired writings I see that I not only worship a God who hears prayers but who also hears prayers.
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. – Exodus 3:7, 8
The Lord delivered ancient Israel from the bondage of Egypt and led them through the wilderness into the earthly Canaan, or the "promised land." Even though I am thrilled by God’s leading in the wilderness the sad truth is that not every who left Egypt made it to Canaan. How was it possible that the very people that were crying day and night for deliverance failed to see the Promised Land? Sad but it is a fact even today. Not everyone who has been delivered from the bondage of sin will welcome Jesus as His personal Saviour.
Perhaps the question that deserves our attention is--How did it all happen? Moses speaking he says
[There are] eleven days' [journey] from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)—Duet 1:2
And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea. –Duet 1:19
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.—Duet 2:1
What made them to turn back?
And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.—Numbers 32:13.
Out of about two million people who left Egypt to Canaan only two made it, Joshua and Caleb. It very interesting to also note that the exodus movement is typical of the gathering of modern Israel out of the darkness of modern Egypt and spiritual Babylon to lead them into the heavenly Canaan.
The prophet of the remnant church commenting on these verses she had this to say…
“It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; he desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there, a holy, happy people. “—GC p 458
“For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan.…It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.” 1SM p 69
It appears that we are repeating the history of the children of Israel. And the problem did not start now as early prior as 1888 Ellen G. White was shown that time was short . Please take note of the dates of the quotes…
Because time is short, we should work with diligence and double energy. Our children may never enter college.--3T 159 (1872). {LDE 36.4}
It is really not wise to have children now. Time is short, the perils of the last days are upon us, and the little children will be largely swept off before this.--Letter 48, 1876. LDE 36
In this age of the world, as the scenes of earth's history are soon to close and we are about to enter upon the time of trouble such as never was, the fewer the marriages contracted the better for all, both men and women.--5T 366 (1885). LDE 37
The hour will come; it is not far distant, and some of us who now believe will be alive upon the earth, and shall see the prediction verified, and hear the voice of the archangel and the trump of God echo from mountain and plain and sea to the uttermost parts of the earth.--RH July 31, 1888. LDE 37
I know that if the people of God had preserved a living connection with Him, if they had obeyed His Word, they would today be in the heavenly Canaan. --General Conference Bulletin, March 30, 1903.
It is clear from the above quotes that we should not have been born. But here we are today let us not repeat the mistakes that our fathers made. We live in times when truth is rejected , error accepted, families disconnected, youth misdirected , immoral people respected, communities crime infected and only chaos is expected but God wants us to shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.
Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.”-COL p 69.
How Long Will the Mansions Be Empty…
