Scripture: And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
Exodus 13:20-22 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, God intentionally leads Israel away from the land of the Philistines on a circuitous route to the Promised Land, knowing they are not ready to face war—even though they were well equipped for battle. On a positive note, Moses tells us he took Joseph’s bones on the journey to fulfill the solemn oath Joseph’s brothers pledged to him: to bury Joseph’s bones with those of his forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 50:24-25).
Today’s reading continues the narrative of Israel’s freedom march. We learn that this massive train of people, livestock, and accoutrements progressed from Succoth to the fringe of the wilderness to encamp at Etham. Most importantly, Moses tells his audience that Yahweh went before their families, leading by a cloud pillar in the daylight and a fire column in the darkness—without fail.
Takeaway: The cloud and fire formed a single “pillar” (14:24), whose width at the base sufficiently covered Israel from the intense heat (Psalm 105:39). Most importantly, it provided a visible symbol of Yahweh’s presence in their midst. Indeed, Moses later implies the Israelites understood the pillar to be “the angel of God” (14:19). Moreover, as the Lord subsequently communicates to Moses, his name is “in” this angel who will guide them to the Promised Land. Hence, they must listen to and obey the angel (23:20–23).
Five centuries later, Isaiah prophesied of the Lord’s vengeance and mercy toward rebellious Israel by recalling their ancestors’ afflictions and exodus. He tells of how their Savior anguished with his people’s suffering and that this “angel of his presence” had saved them (Isaiah 63:8–9). Two centuries after Isaiah, Malachi foretold the nation that a “messenger of the covenant” would prepare the way for the Lord to enter his temple (Malachi 3:1), implying that the Lord would always be present with his people.
Looking through the filter of the New Covenant, we know that the messenger who prepared the way was John the Baptist, and the “messenger of the covenant” (the “angel of God” who presided in the pillar) was Christ Jesus. Thus, the Son of God is Yahweh’s shekinah glory (Hebrew “shekinah” means “settling” or “dwelling”). And through this pillar of fire and cloud that settled on God’s people and dwelled in their tabernacle, the Lord would speak to and guide Moses (33:9–11) and the nation (Psalm 99:6–7).
Our takeaway? The same: Christ, the last tabernacle of God, came baptizing with fire (Luke 3:16), ascended in a cloud, and will return one day in a cloud (Act 1:9-11). But through the gift of his Spirit who has brought life to our spirits (John 3:1-15), Christ dwells with us and in us, for Yahweh’s name is in his Son, and we, his namesakes, are his light-bearers.
Our part? As with Moses and Israel, we, too, must listen to the Spirit of Christ in us for direction and heed his words to walk by faith sure-footed. For his Holy Spirit, our pillar of fire in the darkness and cloud-cover in the light, guides and protects us from the intense heat of spiritual warfare so that we might triumphantly pierce this present darkness of our fallen world and stand firm on the unshakeable foundation of Christ’s gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:12-15).
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son (our source) and your Holy Spirit (our means) for pressing onward in our sin-marred world and upward to our glorious eternal Promised Land. So, please help us listen to and obey your Messenger that we might be steady of foot in the night and light of foot in the day. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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