In the Glossary in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy gives the metaphysical interpretation of many words used in the Bible. Often this includes both a material and a spiritual meaning. Study of these definitions aids one in understanding the Scriptural messages, especially if one bears in mind that Bible terms are to a large extent symbolical.
One such definition is that of "wilderness," which reads as follows (p. 597): "Loneliness; doubt; darkness. Spontaneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence." To human thought a wilderness experience suggests loneliness, doubt, and darkness rather than joyous unfoldment. But on page 574 of Science and Health our Leader writes, "The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares."
Elijah went into the wilderness when Jezebel threatened to take his life after he had slain the priests of Baal. Discouraged and disheartened over what seemed the futility of his efforts, he declared his readiness to die (I Kings 19:4). This false sense of loneliness, doubt, and darkness disappeared, however, as the angel of the Lord ministered to him, and he went on with renewed strength to Horeb, the mount of God, where, after the clamor of wind, earthquake, and fire—error's claims to reality and power—had died away, he heard the still, small voice of God encouraging him to proceed to new duties.
