How the Israelites Days in the Desert Relate to Us Today

When God, through Moses, led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt some 4000 years ago, they complained about lack in the desert. Probably discomfort, too.

In Numbers chapter 13, the twelve men who explored the ‘land flowing with milk and honey’ had just returned to the camp. Ten of them were terrified by the magnitude of the task of taking over ‘the fortified cities inhabited by people stronger and more powerful than they were’.

In Nu 14:2, the Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron, prefering their misery in Egypt to what they perceived as uncertainty in entering the promised land.

How does this relate to many of us today?

You see, we yearn to live meaningful lives without bondage to a means of lifelihood. Many of us are enslaved to making ends meet, yet our efforts do not seem to yield.

There must be alternative paths out of stagnancy – haven’t many others already claimed their success? But like the 10 Israelites (who actually saw the final outcome, ie the promised land, with their own eyes), we are paralyzed by what we perceive as an overwhelming task.

So, we are not willing to swap the known today for the unknown. That is understandable. But ponder yourself honestly for a second. Will you ‘sacrifice’ your position today even if you did know the final outcome with absolute certainty?

The point is this: contrary to our desire to set free, subconsciously, we do choose to stay put.

One way out of this dilemma is to take small steps. “A journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step”. The steps don’t have to be drastic. They are essentially as simple as setting aside small affordable investments as seed to new streams of income.

Choose investments or businesses that do not tie up your time in the long run. Passive income streams take time to build, but once going, you only have to attend to them from time-to-time. Don’t let them be full time jobs.

If you had taken the drastic step of leaving your job to dedicate to building alternate income streams, be watchful not regret when you remember ‘Egypt’. You will encounter some ups and many downs. But count your blessings throughout the process. Recognise miracles that happen to you and journal them! (The Israelites had quite quickly forgotten that God was in charge. How could they not remember the awesome parting of the Red Sea?!)

Invest in yourself by continually educating yourself. There are many successful people from whom you can learn and get ideas. Avail yourself to listen them out. With the internet today, you can attend good seminars at your own time and convenience.

There is a web-based e-learning company that offers seminars by masters of their respective fields. (Website in signatory area.) Your subscription entitles you to Learning Channels in Personal Development, Corporate Training, Family, Lifestyle, and Language Mastery, among other learning and video conferencing resources, in addition to the right to distribute this product.

The greatest risk of all is the risk of not getting anywhere.