Jesus of Nazareth – Consistently withdrew the wilderness (mountains, seas, and the Judean desert) inviting people AWAY from consumeristic city environments, and urban status-ism, and commodification-ism. And crafted short stories about soil, seeds, trees, birds, rocks, lilies, and wilderness pearls, etc.

Moses – Left the city and spent 40 years as a desert shepherd in Midian, and then 40 more years leading Israel through the wilderness …encountering God away from the city – in burning bushes and on top of mountains.

Elijah – Retreated to the Cherith ravine, where he was fed by ravens in the wilderness; and he traveled deep into the wilderness of Mount Horeb to hear God in a low whisper rather than urban power centers.

John the Baptist – Clothed in camel’s hair and suppin on wild honey and bugs, he worked in the Judean wilderness, and he drew city dwellers out into the wilderness physically and spiritually (insisting that the people who seek status, and social greetings, and seats of honor in the city – radically repent). He did eventually end up in THE CITY …in jail; and he was beheaded by the main city man – Herod.

Abraham – Abandoned the sophisticated city of Ur to live in tents as a nomadic pilgrim across Canaan’s rugged hill country.

David – Learned trust, music, and warfare while keeping sheep in open pastures and hiding from King Saul in desert caves. AND when David offered to build God a house in the city, God emphatically said, “I prefer My tent!”

Jacob – Sleeper under the open stars who wrestled God alone in the midnight wilderness along the Jabbok River.

Elisha – A farmer called from plowing open fields who operated extensively along rural trade routes, riverbanks, and Mount Carmel.

Amos – A rugged countryside sheep breeder and tree tender from Tekoa called out of nature to deliver unvarnished truths to city elites.

Deborah – Held court and led a nation under a palm tree in the hill country between Ramah and Bethel rather than inside a city palace.

Ezekiel – Transported into wild, surreal visions by the Kebar River and amidst a desert valley of dry bones far outside temple walls.

Joseph – Carried an enigmatic, dream-filled shepherd’s spirit directly into the heart of imperial Egypt, operating with an unyielding commitment to wilderness-ism in a high-stakes urban environment.

Daniel – Imported surreal, apocalyptic visions (like stuff out of the world of Piranesi) into the royal city of Babylon – and subsequently landed his friends in a fiery furnace, and himself in a ravenous lion den.

The Pillar of Cloud and Fire – The personified, visible guide of the divine that led Israel exclusively through the featureless Sinai desert.