BETHAVEN WILDERNESS

Our spiritual journey through the way of the wilderness will require an absolute FAITH in God. Faith is a powerful force that has the ability to preserve us in your journey and will bring completeness of His will. 

Another place a follower of Jesus would never want to visit is the wilderness of Bethaven which means “the house of the wickedness”

Bethaven is a compound word: “beth” means “house of ” and “aven” means “wickedness.” The word “aven” also translates to “idol” in Isaiah 66:3. Also in Hosea 4:15

Betheaven is place on the northern boundary of the territory of Benjamin (Joshua18:12) East of Bethel, near Ai (Joshua 7:2), West of Michmash (1 Samuel 13:5; 1 Samuel 14:23).

beth-a'-ven (beth 'awen; Baithon, Baithaun): Beth-aven, "house of vanity," i.e. "idolatry," may possibly represent an original beth-'on, "house of wealth." Wilson (PEFS, 1869, 126) suggests Khirbet An, West of Michmash. The name is used in mockery for Bethel by Hosea (4:15; 10:5, 8, etc.; compare Amos 5:5). 

It is a place where darkness is chosen over light, stubbornness over tenderness, and wickedness over purity. 

“If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the best of the land” Isaiah 1:19.

It is a place in the wilderness of battles against the flesh that only can be overcome by putting on garments of Christ. His purity wins over such a wicked land.

The high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. They will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!” Hosea 10:8

To be clothed with Jesus is more important than breathing. We are called to take off sinful living as if to cast-off our nasty-dirty laundry. 

Paul says, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Roman 13:12-14

Those who are clothed with the very presence of Christ will never enter this wilderness! Hallelujah!

Wearing His presence is being controlled by His Spirit, while letting Him rule our hearts and our minds. “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Rom. 8:5-6).

Our wilderness are places to pass through on your way to our full inheritance in Christ. The wilderness is not to break you but to shape you. It is the place where God speaks, the place where we see his beauty, and the place where we give our all to Him. 

The spirit man lives by faith, but the natural man lives by sight. Your journey through the way of the wilderness will require that you transition from what you are seeing (sight) to what you perceive with the eyes of the Spirit (faith). This is where the supernatural is made manifest.

Your perception of God and His word is the dividing line between your wilderness and your Promised Land.

The point is that as you journey through your wilderness experiences towards your promised destiny; your faith will be tested in the process. Any faith that has not been tested cannot be trusted, so therefore, a tested faith is a trusted faith. Your happiness and fulfillment in life is unlocked by your faith which must be at work to produce a total obedience to God.

May you find comfort and strength in that place where you find yourself today. And know that God’s eyes are keeping watch over you and His heart of love is marking out the path before you. We shall pray that our eyes will open ever more fully to the miracles of God.

Rest assured, you will not remain in the wilderness, for you will one day leave them all behind as you rest upon the chest of your amazing High Priest and Bridegroom of your soul.