The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Keeping with tradition, let’s dissect this statement and gather the meaning behind the words (see: AHLB).
We have an idea of what it means to be straight but perhaps getting a visual will help anchor it into our understanding. The word here is yashar (H3474) and the verb form means:
The noun form is a little more intuitive:
The cords of the tent are in strong tension in order to keep the wall straight. So much tension to even withstand the desert winds that come aggressively across the plains.
(We want to make note here of the most famous tent of all time and the role the cords played in its ability to stay up and not waver: the Tabernacle.)
Next we have the desert. This word is aravah (H6160) and this one is quite interesting:
There are only three other related words to this one and they are:
We tend to picture a desert as a dusty, well-lit brown place but here we see it is a place of darkness.
You may be familiar with the concept of erev meaning evening. If you keep the weekly Sabbath you are probably equally familiar with the term Erev Shabbat referencing the Friday night before the daytime Sabbath on Saturday. This is the time of the Shabbat that begins in darkness.
Finally, we have the highway. Here we have mesillah (H4546) and simply means:
However, it’s again in the related terms we gain more understanding:
As this word plainly says, a “high-way” is a way that is above the lower-lying surrounding areas.
Putting this all together, we have the following:
Make laser-straight in the darkness a way that is above all other things.
Why are we doing this?
For our God.
We tend to think of “straight” as in a line from one point to another. This is in fact, correct but it is in the visual of a taught cord holding the Tabernacle steady that we see what isn’t obvious.
The tension in this line is great. Although you can’t see it, the fibers of the cord are under intense pressure to hold itself together. Not only is it secure enough to hold the walls vertical, but it must withstand the elements approaching from any direction. There can be no giving whatsoever.
Similarly, this path that is pulled out must be able to withstand the pressures imposed from all sides. The path must remain straight. No wavering in any way, shape, or form. No matter the storms that approach, this path is to be held completely straight.
While this makes sense in a practical way, it is in stretching out this cord and pulling on it that tension grows. When repentance is preached, there is an uncomfortableness that begins to grow inside of you. At first you become agitated then perhaps angry. If you refuse to bend, it’s possible you may become belligerent. Depending on how deeply that rebellion is tethered, you may allow even more breaking to occur -- the cord snaps. And this breaking usually shows up in our relationships.
As this tension increases, we have to keep in mind that it is not the messenger bringing conviction, it is the Spirit. But people prefer to accuse the brethren than acknowledge the need for repentance. And yet, the messenger must deliver the message anyway. Not too many people have the courage to walk in this space.
Warning: If you get excited about preaching repentance you should never do it. This is a very solemn and delicate topic. If you get excited about it, it’s likely because you are operating in a high level of pride and your arrogance will do nothing but introduce death. Repentance is all about life. Once you realize that opening your mouth in this very tense space could push people further into the path of death, it should cause you to tremble at your core.
Recall, the word aravah is often translated as plain, desert, or wilderness and is intimately connected to darkness.
As you study the Bible, you begin to see that everything begins in darkness. Creation, the day, our lives -- all began in darkness. The darkness is always a launching point (this is somewhat common sense as all people live in darkness unless they come to the light).
Let’s push this a few steps deeper. What is in the desert? Generally speaking, nothing. No water, no food, no life. Only thorn-ridden plants, poisonous crawling things, and beasts that seek to devour. It seems death lies at every turn in this land and sure enough, it does. Therefore, a land that threatens death is easily equated to darkness. And Abba wants you here.
A barren land with death all around is rarely thought of as a vacation destination. And yet the call is for us all to make our way into this land. Why would that be?
If you’ve ever been in a desert you know how it feels to continually be seeking life. Any signs of water, any shade, any relief at all -- this is what draws your eyes. You have to always be on guard for what could be under each and every rock. Whether it’s the creepy crawlies hidden all over or predators that are trying to survive themselves, you become the target for the desert’s survival. It’s this feeling that pushes you to not only seek life but to crave it. There is no moment you can lower your guard.
The punchline is that when life is easy, people are less motivated to hunt down life. But when you could literally die at any moment, life is all you want. Abba has your attention in the desert and this is why you must go.
This straight path in the darkness is to be lifted up above all other things.
We should mention there is a difference between the “high places” and a “high way”. The high places were the destination of man -- an esteeming of man to try and become closer to their god. Whereas, a “high way” is the path our God has called us to walk -- towards our destination.
These high paths put you in a tactical advantage. You can see the attacks of the enemy coming well in advance so you won’t be caught off guard. While this seems like the obvious choice for things to go well with you, most people are deterred from this because that means they can always be seen. We are walking in the light and everyone can see us. This is a terrifying proposition.
Most people prefer the low road. We can be clever along the lower path: twisting, turning, and hiding whenever we choose. We bend into our addictions and defile ourselves with our self-medicating. We can whisper judgments about others and just plain live a hidden life.
This is not the call that has been placed upon you. Your life is supposed to be seen by all. Your entire life, not just the parts you want to show off.
While we love to make decisions to make our lives better, here is an opportunity to do something for someone else. And that someone else is Abba.
Will your life get better by going through the desert? Sure will.
Will you be set free from the darkness of this world? Yep.
Will things go well for you all the days of your life? Absolutely.
But this isn’t about you. Never has been. This is about the One that deserves all of your attention. More than that, He deserves all of the attention of the entire earth. And yet He’s a Gentleman. He said He would not violate your freedom of choice and He won’t. But His message has lasted since the dawn of time. How is that? Through a handful of dedicated servants.
But God isn’t sending you into the desert to make a name for yourself. He isn’t sending you so you can become wealthy. That’s the prosperity message.
No, He’s sending you to deliver the message of repentance. People are in the darkness so you must go out into the darkness yourself and deliver His message. Make straight His path. Stretch it out and make it uncomfortable for those that hear. The tension must increase and can never let up.
Show people the Way of our God. In our world, the path to death has a tremendous draw. This low path, however, carries with it death, disease, and a life full of pain. Your job is to show people there is a better way. And this better way, this High Way, is far, far above anything else that may appear to be the path to life.
Go and do it for our God.
Abba has established authority within you out in the wilderness and it’s there you are crying out.
Calling others to turn from their ways and follow THE Way. And that way is the Messiah. It’s the Torah.
Understand this all begins in darkness and no one will see clearly. But you are called to make a taught path full of a necessary tension. And this path is to rise high above everything else. Do it for our God.
Full Series:
Day 1 - A Voice Cries Out in the Wilderness
Day 3 - Make Straight in the Desert a Highway
Day 6 - Make the Crooked Places Straight
Day 7 - Make the Rough Ground Smooth
Day 8 - The Glory of YHVH Revealed
Day 9 - All Flesh Will See It Together
Day 10 - The Mouth of YHVH has Spoken