Having just returned from a really great Bible study, I feel the urge to write down some thoughts that were inspired during the session. In particular, I find it interesting to think simultaneously about two different 'crossings' that the people of Israel had to make during their journey from Egypt to Canan, and what they could represent for the people of God in today's world.
The first crossing that the Israelites had to make was over the Red Sea, out of the bondage of Egypt and into the wilderness of Sinai. We know from elsewhere in scripture that Egypt is a representation of the world. So, clearly, escaping the bondage of Egypt is equivalent to being freed from the bondage of sin - that is, being saved. However, after crossing the Red Sea, a long time elapsed (40 years, to be precise) until the Israelites actually entered into the Promised Land. So we cannot treat 'being saved' as tantamount to entering into everything that God has in store for us. Indeed, taking possession of the Promised Land involved many more hurdles, not least of which, in a literal sense, was the River Jordan.
This 'second crossing' is more difficult for the Christian. When we crossed the Red Sea, we were running from death, which was 'biting at our heels' in like manner to Pharoah's chariots. Making the leap of faith in those circumstances was a no-brainer. This time, however, we are not running away from death, but rather into life. Having already been freed from the curse of Egypt, we must now embrace the blessing of Canan. Although this land is "flowing with milk and honey", it is also ridden with trials and tribulations - think of the marauding giants, walled cities, foreign gods and cunning enemies that awaited the Israelites. So by crossing the Jordan, we are willingly entering into a battle, rather than running away from one.
Many will not make this second crossing, lingering instead in a sort of limbo. Although the Israelites loathed it, they had become comfortable in the wilderness, and were not willing to make the second crossing. Likewise, it is possible to be saved from condemnation but not fully 'enter in' to what God has in store for us. Like the Israelites, people that linger in this wilderness will wander aimlessly. They will feel an intense dissatisfaction, deprivation, and alienation, even to the point of yearning for the days of Egypt, when, although they were enslaved, at least they had some kind of 'home', and did not have to rely on divine provision. (Or, if they grew up in a Christian household and have been Christians for as long as they can remember, they may envy the otensible freedom enjoyed by non-believers to partake in the things of the world). Like the Israelites, they will construct idols (Golden Calves and so on) in an attempt to fill this void, ultimately leading to further misery and death.
Just as God had to wait for a new generation to emerge before leading the Israelites into Canon, there is almost a second rebirth that must occur for us to make the second crossing. Rather than lingering in the 'death in life' of the wilderness, we must embrace 'life in death'. Indeed, this rebirth must happen on a daily basis, even though we are already saved; we all have the potential to linger in the wilderness if we so choose. Perhaps not coincidentally, Jesus Himself was baptised in the Jordan, setting an example of how to enter into the life which He came to give so abundantly.
Just as God had to wait for a new generation to emerge before leading the Israelites into Canon, there is almost a second rebirth that must occur for us to make the second crossing. Rather than lingering in the 'death in life' of the wilderness, we must embrace 'life in death'. Indeed, this rebirth must happen on a daily basis, even though we are already saved; we all have the potential to linger in the wilderness if we so choose. Perhaps not coincidentally, Jesus Himself was baptised in the Jordan, setting an example of how to enter into the life which He came to give so abundantly.
In short, breaking free is not the same as entering in. Although they are both part of the journey to the Promised Land, they involve distinct 'crossings over'. Moreoever, it is possible to make the first crossing, but not the second - to become trapped (or rather, to trap ourselves) in the limbo of the wilderness, freed from the yoke of slavery but wandering without purpose, ticking off the days until we 'cross over' into the afterlife but never 'crossing over' into the life that God has prepared for us and promised us.
