A canonical study of a key biblical theme

G. K. Beale explores the theme of the wilderness along the Bible’s story-line, giving particular attention to how it illuminates the role of OT Israel in relation to Christ and the Christian’s pilgrimage through the world. The fullest presentation of the theme occurs with Israel’s wilderness wandering after their exodus from Egypt. There the tabernacling God revealed his word to his people, to fortify them in the midst of temptation to sin, danger and judgment, in order to refine them and prepare them for inheritance of the promised land. Israel failed to obey God’s word, so God promises there will be another new exodus and wilderness test in the latter days. Jesus fulfills the promises as true Israel, successfully resisting satanic temptations in the wilderness by trusting in God’s word. By so doing, he commenced judgment of the devil and prepared himself for his ministry. His followers’ identification with him enables them also successfully to battle the devil and temptations in the wilderness by trusting in God’s word. Such a faithful journey through the wilderness of the world will deliver them from judgment and prepare them to inherit the new promised land to come.