THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE

 

Exodus 13:21-22

 

Introduction—In the providence of God, we see how God meets

EVERY need of Israel.  As a sinner, Israel needed a Saviour;

as a captive, Israel needed a deliverer; as a pilgrim, Israel needed a guide.

   The major function of the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire was

that of guiding Israel through the Wilderness.

The Symbolism—To this sign of the divine presence and

   guidance there was a natural similarity in the caravan fire,

   which consisted of small iron vessels or grates with wood

   fires burning in them, fastened at the end of long poles and

   carried as a guide in front of caravans, by which the direction

   of the road was indicated in the daytime by the smoke and at

   night by the light of the fire.

   a. In this cloud Jehovah, i.e., the visible representation of the

      invisible God under the OT, was present with Israel and

      spoke to them. In this, too, appeared "the glory of the Lord"

      (Exodus 16:10; 40:34).

   b. It was a symbol of the zeal of the Lord and therefore was

      enveloped in a cloud that protected Israel by day from heat

      and pestilence (Isaiah 4:4-5; 49:10; Psalm 91:5-6; 21:6). At

      night it lighted Israel's path by its splendor and defended

      them from terror and calamity (Psalm 27:1-3; 91:5-6).

   c. It also threatened destruction to those who murmured

      against God (Numbers 17:10), sending out fire against the

      rebels and consuming them (Leviticus 10:2; Numbers

      16:35).

   d. The Pillar of Cloud and Fire (they were the same) is a

      Picture of the Holy Spirit.

I. THE PILLAR WAS A GIFT

   A. Israel was saved by Blood

      1. Exodus 12:23—“For the LORD will pass through to

         smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the

         lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over

         the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto

         your houses to smite you.

      2. The Blood was a Picture of the Lord Jesus Christ and He

         was a “gift.”  Ephesians 2:8—“For by grace are ye saved

         through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of

         God:”

   B. Israel was saved by Power—Exodus 13:21—The Pillar

      simply appeared, they didn’t make it, earn it, or ask for it.

      1. Acts 2:38—“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be

         baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for

         the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the

         Holy Ghost.”

II. THE PILLAR WAS A GATEWAY—Exodus 13:20—“And they took their

journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.”

   A. Israel took a Step of Faith—Although the Blood had

      been shed (God’s part) Israel had to leave Egypt (their part).

      1. Israel left Succoth (Vs. 20) under their own power.  As

         long as Israel was in the pathway traveled by man, they

         needed no guide.

      2. Israel encamped in Etham (Vs. 20) “…in the edge of the

         wilderness.”  This was as far as the world can take you. 

         Israel is ending the road of “self-reliance” and entering the

         Wilderness of “walking by faith.”

   B. We take a Step of Faith—When we took that “step of

      faith” believing in the Blood—We took a step beyond the

      place where the human road ends.  We enter a new

      dimension, a new life.

      1. Salvation from Egypt’s bondage is just the beginning.

      2. You’ve never known or felt deep joy, abiding peace, and

         security of soul until you’ve taken the first step beyond

         the place where the road ends.

      3. Psalm 107:23-24—“They that go down to the sea in

         ships, that do business in great waters; these see the

         works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.”

      4. Luke 5:4 & 6—“Launch out into the deep, and let down

         your nets for a draught…And when they had this done,

         they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net

         brake.”

III. THE PILLAR WAS A GUARD

   A. The First Sign of Being Redeemed—Pursuit by the

      Enemy—Exodus14:2—“Pharaoh…pursued after the

      children of Israel.” 

      1. You can be assured, the devil does not like it when you

         get saved.

      2. Israel got afraid—Exodus 14:10—“…and they were sore

         afraid”

      3. Israel doubted—Exodus 14:11-12—They questioned God

         3 times.

   B. The First Symbol of Being Redeemed—Exodus 14:19-

      20—“And the angel of God, which went before the camp of

      Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the

      cloud went from before their faces, and stood behind them; 

      And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the

      camp of Israel…”

      1. The Gift became a Guard—Now the conflict was no

         longer between the Egyptians and the Israelites but

         between God and Pharaoh.

      2. The first need of a redeemed Believer is security. 

         Redemption with uncertainty has little joy.

         a. God not only Guides but He Guards.

         b. The Good Shepherd of Psalm 23 has a rod and a staff,

            to guide and guard.

IV. THE PILLAR WAS A GUIDE—Exodus 13:21—“And the Lord went before them…”

   A. Eternal Guide—Two Manifestations, One Pillar—The

      “pillar” was the visible sign of the Lord’s presence with

      Israel.  The pillar of fire was the upper portion rising into

      heaven in the form of a column.  The pillar of cloud was the

      lower portion mushrooming out, over Israel’s camp.

   B. Earthly Guide—Two trumpets of Silver—Numbers 10       

      1. Israel had two guides—The cloud above and the trumpet

         below.

      2. There were two trumpets made out of one piece of silver,

         representing the Old and New Testaments.

      3. The Cloud and the Trumpets synchronized their

         announcement to move.  (There is no contradiction

         between the leadership of the Scriptures and the leadership

         of the Spirit).

V. THE PILLAR WAS A GUEST—Exodus 13:21—“And the Lord went before them by day

 in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way.”

   A. The Lord was not only a Guide but a willing Guest.

   B. The Lord not only reveals His power, patience, and His

      loving care but He also manifests His presence.

      1. Many guides (earthly) perform a service because of the

         pay.

      2. God guides and performs a service because of His love.

VI. THE PILLAR WAS A GLORY

   A. The Similarity in Order—Between the Pillar of Cloud

      and of Fire and the Holy Spirit.

      1. First the death of the Lamb, then the descent of the Holy

         Spirit.

      2. I Corinthians 10:1-2—“Moreover, brethren, I would not

         that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were

         under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were

         all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”

   B. The Similarity in Position—Threefold Position

      1.  First, God is for us—At the Red Sea, He stood between

         the children of Israel and their enemies. (Exodus 14:19)

      2.  Second, God is with us—As they journeyed through the

         desert, the cloud went before them to seek out a resting

         place.  Numbers 9:17—“And when the cloud was taken up

         from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel

         journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there

         the children of Israel pitched their tents.”

      3.  Third, God is in us—In the Tabernacle it rested in their

         midst.  Exodus 40:34—“Then a cloud covered the tent of 

         the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the

         tabernacle.”

Conclusion:  God met every need!