“God would have His people in these days review with a humble heart and teachable spirit the trials through which ancient Israel passed, that they may be instructed in their preparation for the heavenly Canaan.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 293.

As we continue with the second of the two-part series on the “Wilderness Wanderings,” we will study the main events that took place from the covenant at Sinai to the death of Moses, using references from the books of Numbers and Deuteronomy. “The book of Deuteronomy should be carefully studied by those living on the earth today.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. White Comments], vol. 1, p. 1117.

“The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the advent movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the third angel’s message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people.

“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. But ‘they could not enter in because of unbelief.’ Hebrews 3:19. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God.”—The Great Controversy, pp. 457, 458.

May God help us to cling to Jesus as our personal Saviour and leave off this grave sin of unbelief. May we trust the hand that has guided us in our past and go forward to give the third angel’s message with power. If we fail to do the work God has appointed us, others will be raised up to take our places.

The General Conference Sabbath School Department