September 29, 1999
Don Hawley
If you are enjoying a period of tranquility, free from health problems, no money worries, no difficult personal relationships, then this presentation may be of little interest. If, however, you are suffering illness, experiencing tremendous pressures or wrestling with crushing problems, then this message may speak directly to your heart.
Prior to his crucifixion Christ warned his disciples that their lot would not be an easy one.
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. Matt. 16:24, 25.
In spite of the difficulties serving him here would bring, Jesus reminded them that the rewards would be eternal.
I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I assure you that some of you standing here right now will not die before you see me, the Son of Man, coming in my Kingdom." Vs. 27, 28.
The truth is that everyone hearing those comforting words did die, and as of this moment our Lord has not returned with his Kingdom of Glory. To understand this apparent contradiction we need merely look at the very next verse.
Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance changed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became dazzling white. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. Peter blurted out, "Lord, this is wonderful! If you want me to, I’ll make three shrines, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
But even as he said it, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him. Listen to him." The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. Matt. 17:1-6.
This amazing transfiguration was a miniature Second Coming! Jesus had just said, "I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father." Now, the glory of the Father had inhabited the human Christ in such fullness that it could no longer be hidden. The glory broke forth in such awesome power that the face of Jesus outdid the sun itself for brilliance. The disciples were so terrified of the display that they fell on their faces.
Peter, impetuous as usual, blurted out something about building three shrines to commemorate the event. In so doing, he showed that he had missed the vital lesson being presented. It was all about the manifest glory of God appearing in the lives of men and women.
Moses and Elijah also appeared with the glorified Christ. We need to go back into history to learn why they were selected for this dramatic event.
THE MISPLACED MOUNTAIN
What I have to say now may seem like a digression, but it’s actually an integral part of the picture. I think you’ll find it interesting, even though I can hit only a few high spots. For the full story send for the book The Mount Sinai Myth by Larry Williams at (619) 259-6748.
Let me begin with a blunt statement. The peak in the Sinai Peninsula that we refer to as Mount Sinai is a blatant counterfeit. In no way does it jibe with the Bible account of the Exodus. Nothing about it, either physically, geographically, or historically fits the biblical pattern. Those who visit there are victims of one of the longest-running tourist scams in history.
Remember that an enraged Pharaoh had decreed Moses was to be arrested and executed. The entire Sinai Peninsula was under Egyptian control. Important turquoise and copper mines were located less than 40 miles from the traditional Mount Sinai, and Egypt kept an army garrison there to guard their treasure. Obviously this was not an area where Moses would choose to hide out.
Careful research has pinpointed the actual spot where God Almighty came down to speak from the thunder and the lightning.
One day Moses was a highly educated, and probably spoiled, prince of the mighty nation of Egypt. The next he was a murderer running for his life.
Moses was badly frightened because he realized that everyone knew what he had done. And sure enough, when Pharaoh heard about it, he gave orders to have Moses arrested and killed. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and escaped to the land of Midian. Ex. 2:14, 15.
Note that Moses didn’t merely leave Egypt; he fled. Circumstances were such that he left all behind and rushed into the desert.
The above text should dispel the traditional myth of Mount Sinai, but tradition always dies hard. We’re told clearly that Moses "escaped to the land of Midian." At its northern end the Red Sea has two branches; to the west is the Gulf of Suez, and to the east is the Gulf of Aqaba. Your Bible maps will show that Midian is nowhere in the Sinai Peninsula. Instead it is on the east side of the Gulf of Aqaba in Saudi Arabia. Paul knew this.
And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia . . . Gal. 4:25.
Moses went to the back side of the desert, as far away as possible from those who would take his life. There he met Jethro, the priest of Midian, and eventually married one of his daughters, Zipporah. The Bible says he "settled down to live with them."
Years later Moses had a most unusual experience there in the solitude of the desert.
One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush. Moses was amazed because the bush was engulfed in flames, but it didn’t burn up. Ex. 3:1, 2.
Although the term "Mount Sinai" is used here, the Hebrew for this place is "Mount Horeb."
I won’t take time to detail the encounter at the burning bush; you know the story well. Suffice it to say that God met with Moses, and called him to one of the most important missions ever entrusted to man. After many years of tending a dumb flock of sheep, Moses was a nobody—even in his own mind. God couldn’t use a proud prince of Egypt, but he could trust a man who was truly humble.
I believe only Christ himself had a more difficult assignment than the one entrusted to Moses. No wonder it was prefaced with forty years of character development. Moses was to return to Egypt, deliver God’s people from slavery, and lead them to Canaan. When he protested he no doubt was the least qualified man on earth for such an assignment, God gave him an encouraging promise.
Then God told him, "I will be with you. And this will serve as proof that I have sent you: When you have brought the Israelites out of Egypt, you will return here to worship God at this very mountain." Ex. 3:12
THE TRUE "MOUNTAIN OF GOD"
Again I can give only a sketchy account, but certain intrepid explorers have found Mount Horeb right where God said it would be—in Midian of Saudi Arabia. A million, perhaps two million, Israelites hurriedly left Egypt and fled for their lives. A careful study of the timeline would place them at the Straits of Tiran where they crossed the narrow portion of the Gulf of Aqaba into Midian.
According to Ex. 15:22 the Israelites traveled for three days without water. Then they came to a place called Marah. There was water there, but it was unfit to drink until Moses cleansed the water according to the Lord’s instruction. Just 33 miles from the Straits of Tiran recent explorers found such a site. The old alkaline lakebeds indicate that at one time there was ample water there. Modern wells have been dug at this location.
According to the biblical record they next came to Elim, "where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees." The first oasis after leaving the Straits of Tiran is found a six days journey away, and the town there today is called Al Bad. If Moses had lived for years in the area, he would have known to bring the children of Israel along this route.
Just at the edge of Al Bad are some caves that the locals refer to as the "caves of Moses!" That is more than a mere clue. A few weeks ago I bought a new atlas, a purely secular book. Having read about the caves at Al Bad, I decided to check out that area in the atlas. I was fascinated at what I found. Next to that town the map shows three little dots representing the caves. They have an Arabic name, but under that in parentheses is the word "Jethro." Even the secular press confirms the quest. Today this cave area is fenced off, and guarded, by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
An English-speaking man in Al Bad told our searchers, "Moses was one of the Moslem prophets and it is in all their books that this was where Moses came through on his way to Mount Sinai." It would seem the Moslems are more knowledgeable about this matter than are Christians. The man continued by explaining that after camping here for a while, Moses and his followers went on to Jabal al Lawz—Mount Sinai.
MOUNT HOREB
Following are a few reasons I believe that Jabal al Lawz in Arabia truly is Mount Horeb.
The area around Jabal al Lawz is large enough, with enough vegetation, to permit a large company such as the Israelites to camp. This is not true at the traditional site of Mount Sinai.
East and a little south of Jabal al Lawz is an area large enough to have accommodated the big battle with the Amalakites. Again, there is no such area at the traditional site.
"All Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire." Ex. 19:18. Although no research has been done to explain why, (the area is fenced off and guarded by Saudi Arabia), the entire top portion of the mountain is blackened.
"The Lord continued, ‘Stand here on this rock beside me. As my glorious presence passes by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed.’" Ex. 33:21, 22. There is a very distinct cleft on the mountain that could be where Moses saw some of the Lord’s glory.
God warned, "Set boundary lines that the people may not pass. Warn them, ‘Be careful! Do not go up on the mountain or even touch its boundaries. Those who do will certainly die!" Ex. 19:12. The boundary markers are still there. The author describes them thus: "These rock piles are approximately four feet high and about eight to ten feet in diameter. They scatter themselves like a semicrown about the base of the mountain and were measured to be three tenths of a mile apart."
"Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars around the altar, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel." Ex. 24:4.
At the bottom of the mountain the bases of twelve pillars remain, all in a row. One can also make out the foundation outline of a small building or temple that may have housed the altar mentioned above.
"All the people obeyed Aaron and brought him their gold earrings. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded and tooled it into the shape of a calf. The people exclaimed, ‘O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!’ When Aaron saw how excited the people were about it, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, ‘Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord!’" Ex. 32:3-5.
Not far from the base of the mountain is a large flat rock that would serve well as an altar. The Minister of Antiquities for Saudi Arabia obviously considers it a significant site, as it is surrounded by a security fence. Interestingly, old petroglyphs depicting cattle-like images are carved into its rocky base. A Saudi archeologist has pronounced them to be Egyptian Hathor and Apis bulls. Such petroglyphs are unique to this area; all others portray goats or camels.
Last, but certainly not least, Jabal al Lawz boasts a cave, something missing on the traditional Mount Sinai. We shall see why this is important.
ELIJAH TO THE DESERT
Moses was not the only leader to face such drastic circumstances that it seemed necessary to flee to the desert. On top of Mount Carmel the prophet Elijah successfully fought one of the greatest battles ever recorded against the forces ofdarkness. The confrontation ended with hundreds of the prophets of Baal slain.
When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel what Elijah had done and that he had slaughtered the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: "May the gods also kill me if by this time tomorrow I have failed to take your life like those whom you killed." Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. 1 Kings 19:1-3.
Elijah left his servant at Beersheba, and then "went on alone into the desert." God often finds it best to deal with us one on one. An angel of the Lord provided bread and water for a long journey. And what was Elijah’s destination?
So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. Vs. 8, 9.
God brought Elijah to the same place he led Moses, Mount Horeb in Arabia. It was there that Moses found his burning bush, and it was there that Elijah had his own personal encounter with God.
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Vs. 11-13.
DESERT THERAPY
A loving God sends his people to the desert, particularly leaders. Others beside Moses and Elijah have made such a trek.
Immediately after his baptism and anointing at the Jordon, Jesus was led of the Spirit into the desert.
John the Baptist ministered in the desert.
Note how Paul entered into his ministry.
"When all this happened to me, I did not rush out to consult with anyone else; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. No, I went away into Arabia . . ." Gal. 1:16,17.
I can’t help but wonder if this giant of the New Testament also was drawn to Mount Horeb.
WHY THE DESERT?
As long as we are wrapped up in the business and confusion of daily life, God cannot fully gain our attention. He must take us to a place where he can deal with us intimately. We need to sense our poverty of spirit, and open our souls to the grace he seeks to impart. It is in the quiet place that we develop the humility that will permit God to trust us with a greater anointing. When we are alone with the Father he can more clearly show us the path he wants us to pursue.
After Moses was exposed to the glory of God, that glory filled his own life to the extent that his face actually glowed. It was so bright he had to wear a veil for a few days so the people could bear to look at him. In our own desert experience we will see God’s glory more clearly than ever before, and it ought to "rub off" on us.We may not have to wear a veil so the family can bear to have us around, but there should be a difference. Our characters should attest that we have been in close communion with God.
Most of us couldn’t take off for Arizona tomorrow even if we wanted to. Our personal desert may have to be a room in our own home where we can shut the world out for a portion of each day. God is eager to meet with his children anytime anywhere, just so he can have our full attention.
WHY JUST NOW?
While the church is busy with its little bake sales, or even more significant works, the end of all things looms just ahead. Nature itself is shouting a warning with increasingly destructive catastrophes, but even Christians are not hearing above the din of daily living. The time of trouble such as never was is about to break upon us, and God would not have us unprepared. The desert is where such preparation takes place. Prophetic voices have been warning us for many months now.
Anonymous prophetic word: "There is something on the horizon. Something big. I can’t touch it yet. I can’t gaze upon it with my eyes, but I can feel it. It’s there and it’s moving closer.
"The Lord would say to everyone in this place, ‘Live unsettled . . . Loose yourself of any ties that bind. If you don’t loose yourself, I’ll help loose you. . . Every fear known to man will be swallowed by the terror of the day head . . .I’m coming back. I will not delay my coming to you, so don’t delay your coming to me."
Marc Dupont: "If you will die to self, reputation, programs, and the way the river has been nourishing the peoples, I will take you into an even greater baptism. This baptism will not be in front of the crowds. It will be alone in your prayer closet . . . Iam calling you to leave the focus of the John the Baptist ministry and travel with my Son into the wilderness for a season of fasting and prayer. You will miss the parties, the laughter and the drunkenness (of the renewal). But I say to you, if you embrace this death and do not trust in your own resources and actions, I will give you new ministries and a deeper anointing. I will give you the treasure of the secret places rather than the joy of the parties."
Graham Cooke: "Like Jesus we need our time in the desert in order to change our character to produce the outrageous Godliness required of a people praying for an open heaven . . . The desert sorts out those who can be trusted from those who need more mature development . . . This is a season of preparation for what is to come . . . In the desert God removes the blessing that you came in with. He makes you hungry for Him by drawing you into an exclusive place of no distraction (there is nothing to see or do in the desert,except survive!), where God can commune with you. He has to starve your soul into submission so that your spirit man can rise into the ascendancy . . . This time of vital preparation will be followed by a season of Divine Acceleration . . . Enjoy the desert."
Anonymous prophetic word: (This person refers to the desert experience as "the dark night of the soul.") "At no other time does God express love more than when He allows this time of total emptiness. God risks being misunderstood. He faces the potential of one His children walking away frustrated and confused, but He believes the good it will produce is well worth the risk . . . If the children of God demonstrate that they won’t go by what they see or feel, God will know that He has vessels that will not rely on circumstances or feelings to keep them on a straight course . . . God wisely observes that anyone who survives this night is rightfully suited to invade enemy territory . . .
The dark night of the soul is a very baffling test, for it comes at a least expected time and with special conditions. The inner nature must be surprised, caught off guard, in order to be exposed and conquered . . . In the dark night of the soul we surrender the things we dearly love, things we can’t readily identify as being in conflict with God. Here the issue is not right and wrong, but high and low purposes of living . . . It is the higher ground we must reach because the flood is rising."
As you have read these prophetic utterances, some of you have said to yourself, "I’m already in the desert; I just didn’t realize what was happening to me." Others are thinking, "It sounds challenging, but I know I need just such a desert experience."
THE INVITATION
A loving God sends an invitation to meet him in the desert. However,his love for us is so great that, if necessary, he will drive us into the desert. That’s what happened to Moses and Elijah. God allowed circumstances to overwhelm them to such a degree, that they fled to the desert for their very life.
It is best to go voluntarily into the desert at the Lord’s invitation. I know. More than a year ago God invited me to meet him in the wilderness. I recognized the call, and fully meant to respond—just a soon as possible. Month aftermonth went by, but the time was never quite right. For one thing, I was doing so many good things for the Lord’s cause. I must have felt that God’s kingdom work would grind to a halt if I was missing for more than a few hours.
Finally, in mercy, God allowed my world to come crashing down. One circumstance after another battered me until I felt almost mortally wounded. I refused to give up my faith, but I drew into a protective solitude until I could sort it all out. AsI mentioned earlier, this is the first word I have shared for more than a quarter of a year. My spirit is now refreshed, and I am ready to move on in the things of God. But it will be only as he directs. The desert is a great place to learn about humility and the dangers of self guidance.
LAST CALL
In spite of the fact that, as the Bible predicted, there is a"peace and safety" cry within the Body of Christ today, the crises of the ages is imminent. Some leaders are busy day and night figuring how they are going to finish God’s work in all the earth. They overlook one vital text:
For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness." Rom. 9:28
We’ve been playing church for centuries, but one day soon God will say, "Enough!" The final moves will take place in rapid sequence, and Jesus will return for his Bride.
The last great spiritual battle of Armageddon is about to commence. Our heavenly Commander is too wise to lead untrained troops into the field. They would falter in the heat of battle. First we need to experience a "divine boot camp," andthat’s what going to the desert is all about. Don’t be afraid to accept his invitation.
In the Book of Isaiah God spoke of his miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt. He recounted how the entire Egyptian army, to a man, sank beneath the waters of the Red Sea. Then he said:
But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert! Is. 43:18, 19.
For the true Bride it is desert time.
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