Why Did John the Baptist Live in the Wilderness? What Was He Doing?

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

perhaps he was an Essene

Yes, or something similar to that:

 

[A71]

Perhaps, if he was modern day, he would ride a motorbike, and therefore would be an Essene rider

 

[Marvin Knox]

John said he was not Eljah

Jesus said that he was. I'll go with the testimony of the Word of God.

John's answer is an example of a descriptive verse. It simply states what John, a fallible man, actually said when he was asked if he was Elijah.

We have two logical choices before us as to who he was or was not. Either he was not Elijah or he was Elijah and didn't know it.

Scripture interprets scripture. The Lord cleared it up for us when He told us that John was indeed Elijah.

"Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 11:11-15

Note that He indicated to us that it is a hard concept and that not everyone can accept it. Apparently you are one of those. It seems that the Lord will in no way hold it against you or anyone else for not receiving the truth that John was Elijah.

Likely He understands that people automatically go to the non-biblical concept of reincarnation when they think of John being Elijah. But reincarnation pertains to returning as something or someone else after having lived and died in your original life. This does not pertain to the case of John vs. Elijah.

The scriptures tell us that it is given once to man to die and then comes judgment. Reincarnation violates this truth.

If one has ears to hear the doctrine it will explain a few other things for us from the scriptures. We see, for instance, that Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration only after John was through with his life.

We see also that John was the greatest person who ever lived (outside of the Lord Himself, of course). In considering the life of John - one has to ask, "In what way was he so unique that the Lord would pronounce him the greatest of men?" The answer is that he was the only man aside from the Lord Himself who was born spiritually alive.

Jesus scolded Nicodemus for being a teacher and not even understanding the basic concept of the spiritual deadness of all men born into this world after the fall of mankind. John was able to recognize his creator when he can into His presence - even as an unborn child.

John's being Elijah clears this conundrum up for us. John's spiritual life in the womb is, by the way, nothing to be passed over - pertaining as it does to a concept which the Lord scolded Nicodemus for not understanding and applying.

While we can't be dogmatic about it, we also have possible insight into how and when the spirit of a man comes into being.

Not everyone can receive it. But if you have ears to hear - John was Elijah.

There is - by the way - no reason to "spiritualize" in what way he was Elijah. Letting scripture interpret scripture and believing the words of the Lord on the matter makes it very clear for us. His spirit was literally the spirit of Elijah.

But - again - if you or anyone else can't receive it - so be it.

But, following the principle that the one who has will receive more (insight), there is much to be gained by believing the Lord about this concept and not the testimony of a mere man, unique though John was. Conversely - if one rejects the truth concerning John and Elijah there is a lot of doctrine to be lost IMO.

When you think about it - it's understandable that God would not let John remember his past identity while working out his salvation.

Jesus was able to handle this kind of thing apparently. But I doubt that a mere man could have handled it.

After all - we have the scriptures on the matter and most of us in the Body of Christ still can't handle the doctrine.

 

[2Timothy2:15]

Jesus basically said that John the Baptist was the most righteous man to ever live..

Actually slight correction. Jesus never mentions the righteousness of John. He says there was no greater prophet ever born a woman.


Luke 7
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

 

[2Timothy2:15]

Perhaps, if he was modern day, he would ride a motorbike, and therefore would be an Essene rider

Perhaps in modern day he would not be found sitting in the pews of the compromised church. When we understand the significance of John the Baptist in the framework of the prophet and the fact Jesus called him the greatest of prophets and we hold that to the lens of these men going around today calling themselves prophets it should be a wake up call.

 

[truefiction1]

Jesus basically said that John the Baptist was the most righteous man to ever live... and he lived in the wilderness, eating insects and wearing minimal clothing. But why?

My guess is that he was staying away from all worldly distractions at all costs so that he could be completely focused on God and not be influenced by the sinful societies of the world... because he feared God and how holy He is.

Anyone have any other ideas why John the Baptist lived the way he did? In the wilderness eating locusts and honey, wearing camel hair and a leather belt?

We already know why the Forerunner, prophet, and Baptist John lived in the wilderness:

After the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and the worship of the shepherds and the Magi, wicked king Herod gave orders to kill all male infants. Hearing about this, Saint Elizabeth (John the Baptist's mother) fled into the wilderness and hid in a cave. Saint Zachariah (John's father) was at Jerusalem and was doing his priestly service in the Temple. Herod sent soldiers to him to find out the abode of the infant John and his mother. Zachariah answered that their whereabouts were unknown to him, and he was killed right there in the Temple. Righteous Elizabeth continued to live in the wilderness with her son and she died there. The child John, protected by an angel, dwelt in the wilderness until the time when he came preaching repentance, and was accounted worthy to baptize the Lord.

 

[Wet Squirrel]

Jesus said that he was. I'll go with the testimony of the Word of God.

John's answer is an example of a descriptive verse. It simply states what John, a fallible man, actually said when he was asked if he was Elijah.

We have two logical choices before us as to who he was or was not. Either he was not Elijah or he was Elijah and didn't know it.

Scripture interprets scripture. The Lord cleared it up for us when He told us that John was indeed Elijah.

"Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 11:11-15

Note that He indicated to us that it is a hard concept and that not everyone can accept it. Apparently you are one of those. It seems that the Lord will in no way hold it against you or anyone else for not receiving the truth that John was Elijah.

Likely He understands that people automatically go to the non-biblical concept of reincarnation when they think of John being Elijah. But reincarnation pertains to returning as something or someone else after having lived and died in your original life. This does not pertain to the case of John vs. Elijah.

The scriptures tell us that it is given once to man to die and then comes judgment. Reincarnation violates this truth.

If one has ears to hear the doctrine it will explain a few other things for us from the scriptures. We see, for instance, that Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration only after John was through with his life.

We see also that John was the greatest person who ever lived (outside of the Lord Himself, of course). In considering the life of John - one has to ask, "In what way was he so unique that the Lord would pronounce him the greatest of men?" The answer is that he was the only man aside from the Lord Himself who was born spiritually alive.

Jesus scolded Nicodemus for being a teacher and not even understanding the basic concept of the spiritual deadness of all men born into this world after the fall of mankind. John was able to recognize his creator when he can into His presence - even as an unborn child.

John's being Elijah clears this conundrum up for us. John's spiritual life in the womb is, by the way, nothing to be passed over - pertaining as it does to a concept which the Lord scolded Nicodemus for not understanding and applying.

While we can't be dogmatic about it, we also have possible insight into how and when the spirit of a man comes into being.

Not everyone can receive it. But if you have ears to hear - John was Elijah.

There is - by the way - no reason to "spiritualize" in what way he was Elijah. Letting scripture interpret scripture and believing the words of the Lord on the matter makes it very clear for us. His spirit was literally the spirit of Elijah.

But - again - if you or anyone else can't receive it - so be it.

But, following the principle that the one who has will receive more (insight), there is much to be gained by believing the Lord about this concept and not the testimony of a mere man, unique though John was. Conversely - if one rejects the truth concerning John and Elijah there is a lot of doctrine to be lost IMO.

When you think about it - it's understandable the God would not let John remember his past identity while working out his salvation.

Jesus was able to handle this kind of thing apparently. But I doubt that a mere man could have handled it.

After all - we have the scriptures on the matter and most of us in the Body of Christ can't even handle the doctrine.

Jesus said if they accepd John Baptist he was in spirit of Eljah but not Eljah , Eljah will return in his body to this earth .

John 1:21

 

[A71]

Arguably, that is where he would be most needed, in the fast asleep church. I agree though that most of the church is hooked on ear tickling prophecy like barbiturates, and I view a lot of these prophecies as little more than horoscopes in clerical wrapping.

Perhaps in modern day he would not be found sitting in the pews of the compromised church. When we understand the significance of John the Baptist in the framework of the prophet and the fact Jesus called him the greatest of prophets and we hold that to the lens of these men going around today calling themselves prophets it should be a wake up call.

 

[Marvin Knox]

Jesus said if they accepd John Baptist he was in spirit of Eljah but not Eljah , Eljah will return in his body to this earth . John 1:21

I spelled things out for you pretty well in the previous post.

And - NO - that was John who said that in John 1:21 - not Jesus.

With a mistake like that - I suspect that you're rather new to the study of God's Word.

But many, more mature, students of the Word still have trouble receiving what Jesus said about John the Baptist.

I'm thinking that, as you mature, you will study this subject again in the future and wrestle with the spiritual condition of the unborn John vis a vis the need for all fallen men to be born again.

I only hope that you don't end up with some kind of Pelagian theology as you analyze the subject in the future.

God bless you in your future studies.

 

[Jonathan Leo]

Cheap rent...

If he lived in the wild there was no rent lol

 

[Shempster]

Jesus told us that John the Baptist was the greatest man who ever lived.
I would assume living along was a part of that. I think that he knew that living amongst many people would practically force one to follow the beliefs and tenets of the community and he knew that would lead him astray. Gods remnant is usually pushed away from the cliques.

 

[gordonhooker]

If he lived in the wild there was no rent lol

That is what I meant - unless it was Las Vegas

 

[Sal Robinson]

William, great question

The wilderness has always been a place where God took people to get their attention.

The wilderness was a place a person had to rely on God alone

Look at Moses and the Israelites

Deuteronomy 8:2

“Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands”.

So the desert was a place God used to test what was in people’s hearts.

People who disobeyed God suffered greatly, and even died, but those who obeyed God grew in their relationship with him and grew in their trust in him.

So John was choosing a lifestyle where he’d grow deeper in his relationship with God and have a heart that was focused on him, as you said.

Jesus also spent time in the wilderness, which was integral his experience and mission on earth.

The wilderness is an experience that tests you and make you doubt, and it separates those who are shallow in their love for God, and those who are faithful, trusting that no matter how hard things seem, God will provide.

Lose your job, a break up, a betrayal, a tragedy, many things can put you in a wilderness, when you trust God in a place when nothing seems to work out, that’s when you’re faith proves genuine, and in the end God will provide, and you will be rewarded for your faith.

Hope that helped brother

 

[Jonathan Leo]

That is what I meant - unless it was Las Vegas

Sorry, I couldn’t resist lol

 

[Tayla]

Anyone have any other ideas why John the Baptist lived the way he did?

He modeled his lifestyle on Old Testament prophets such as Elijah.

 

[Karl Popke]

Here is my take on John the Baptist in the desert. John is in the desert because it's a picture of the spiritual dryness of Israel. John is wearing camel skin and leather belt in the hot desert. He stinks. His hair and beard are uncut. He is a mess. Israel has wandered from the truth and are adhering to man made religious rules instead of having a relationship with God. They are a stench, a mess in God's eyes. John's diet is locusts and honey. He's scrawny, half starved to death. He's the picture of what's left of Israel's spiritual starvation. His message is one of hope. Prepare yourself for Salvation is coming, repent and be baptized.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Here is my take on John the Baptist in the desert. John is in the desert because it's a picture of the spiritual dryness of Israel. John is wearing camel skin and leather belt in the hot desert. He stinks. His hair and beard are uncut. He is a mess. Israel has wandered from the truth and are adhering to man made religious rules instead of having a relationship with God. They are a stench, a mess in God's eyes. John's diet is locusts and honey. He's scrawny, half starved to death. He's the picture of what's left of Israel's spiritual starvation. His message is one of hope. Prepare yourself for Salvation is coming, repent and be baptized.

That's an interesting take on John.
And maybe true but, no one really knows?

John appeared to be pretty unattached to the world as we know. Apparently Born Again in the womb and called to a very high calling from anearly age.

I have wondered at times if he desired the things we do such as a wife, home and children? Seems he had one desire only -- to serve the living God.

He has always been my hero.
Man do I fall short.

M-Bob

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Jesus basically said that John the Baptist was the most righteous man to ever live... and he lived in the wilderness, eating insects and wearing minimal clothing. But why?

My guess is that he was staying away from all worldly distractions at all costs so that he could be completely focused on God and not be influenced by the sinful societies of the world... because he feared God and how holy He is.

Anyone have any other ideas why John the Baptist lived the way he did? In the wilderness eating locusts and honey, wearing camel hair and a leather belt?

Well, going TO sinful things, desiring the lusts of the flesh, desiring the lusts of the eyes, desiring the pride of life, is sinful.

Seeking wholeheartedly the Kingdom (Rulership) of Yahuweh always, is right and good, and commanded.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

If he lived in the wild there was no rent lol

I think most people owned their house/ farm/ property by Instruction from Yahuweh - no one had a mortgage or rent to pay, unless they needed help and 'sold' (for up to seven years?) the use of their property, which was returned to them in Jubilee.

 

[HardHead]

My guess is that he was staying away from all worldly distractions at all costs so that he could be completely focused on God and not be influenced by the sinful societies of the world... because he feared God and how holy He is.

I take it as this as well. I think that asceticism like his provides greater understanding of spiritual matters. Moses and other spiritual leaders like him separated themselves from society to be in touch with God so to speak. The Old Testament presciendece for this can be found.

No rent money?

Its a bit glib in tone but it's probably correct.

He likely had separated himself from the world to the point of poverty. My guess is that he did this on purpose. I am not saying he was a monk of a modern kind, but that he wanted to not be dependent on the world. He rendered unto Caesar what is Caesar's and he rendered unto Christ what is Christ's. Since he was not in the world he could legitimately provide criticism of it and stand in opposition to it when needed.

He must have been incredible in his intensity.