Meaning of DESERT

(a) Heb. «midbar» and gr. "We are": open, uncultivated plain, where wild animals roam freely (Jb. 24:5).

The desert is often a loneliness that fills with dread, the true image of desolation (Deut. 32:10; Is. 21:1); However, the desert was also used as pasture land (Ex. 3:1).

Allusions to the wilderness are numerous (e.g., Gen. 16:7; 21:20; 1 Sam. 17:28; 25:21; Mt. 3:1; Mark 1:12; Luke 15:4 ).
(b) Heb. «'rabah», plain or arid region (Is. 35:1, 6; 51:3).

Accompanied by the definite article, this name means the plain or depression of the Jordan and the Dead Sea (Ez. 47:8; 2 Sam. 2:29); In this case it is transcribed with the geographical name Arabá.

(c) Heb. "Y'shimon", uncultivated and desolate country (Ps. 78:40; 106:14; Is. 43:19, 20). If the definite article is joined as a prefix to the name, the latter should be translated by the proper name of Jesimón ("desert" in the 1960 and 1977 revisions of the Reina-Valera; Jesimón in the old revision of 1909).

(d) Heb. "H'raboth", uncultivated regions, desolate places (Is. 48:21; Ps. 102:7; Ez. 13:4).

In typology the desert is outside Canaan and is in contrast to it. The desert was the place of testing for the Israelites, and so it happens with the Christian, to humble him, and to show what is in his heart (Deut. 8: 2).

He has to learn what is in himself, and know the God of all grace with whom he has to do. There is a need for constant dependence or there is failure, while the experience is gained from knowing the One who never stops helping.

Canaan is, figuratively, a heavenly position and conflict, which corresponds to the need for armor given in Eph. 6:11, to stand firm against the wiles of the devil.

For this you have to be aware of being dead and resurrected with Christ. It is association in spirit with Christ in heaven.