He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
He never took the pillar away from before the people, but kept it continuously with them by day and by night through all their journey. The cloud by day led and directed their way and sheltered them from the desert heat as a cooling canopy, while the fire by night gave light to the camp and the path so they could go by day and night. The Leader enshrouded in the pillar was Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God, equal with the Father and present as God, while Moses was only the visible leader receiving instructions from Him. He subdued His glory and veiled His majesty in cloud and darkness so weak finite sight could behold it and live. The same Christ still leads His people today with light from His throne moving before them, speaking His will and giving grace through His Word, and abiding with the obedient to give peace, safety and courage.
Words and Wilderness Setting
He took not away the pillar means it remained continuously before the people by day and by night throughout the whole journey, never removed from its place before them as the abiding sign of divine presence and guidance after the departure from Egypt. The cloud by day and the fire by night stayed without interruption, accompanying Israel in the wilderness and assuring them continually that God was with them, even when Moses was absent or dead. That unfailing presence was Jesus enshrouded in cloud and fire, ever with them as Leader and Guide through all their wanderings.
By day the cloud led them in the way and directed their route, and by night the fire gave them light, illuminating the whole camp and shedding brightness on the path before them so they could go by day and by night. The cloud went before them to show the way and shield them, while at night the fire lit their path and the camp like day. The same pillar that was light to Israel was darkness to others, for at the Red Sea it rose up, passed over Israel, and stood between Israel and the army of Egypt as a wall of darkness toward the Egyptians so they could not see the Hebrew camp and had to halt.
The cloud also sheltered them from the desert heat and burning sun, refreshing them with coolness and moisture as a covering canopy by day for forty years, with the cloud lighted up over them at night. Together with water to refresh the thirsty and bread from heaven to satisfy hunger, this abiding shade proved God meant them good and not harm, not restricting liberty with denials and severities nor delighting to see His children suffer, but with all heaven interested in human happiness. Even where bitter and sweet and grief and joy lie near together, that shade is among His alternating mercies to desert travelers until the short desert journey ends.
That same presence protected them, giving light to Israel while keeping Pharaoh's forces in darkness, standing between the camps so no harm came to Israel. Under this divine care they were safely conducted through the Red Sea while the pursuing Egyptian army was overthrown, and the token of His guiding hand remained before them when Amorite armies opposed them. He guarded them from beasts and serpents and opposing armies by heavenly restraining power, opening the passage where He bade them go for the obedient as they marched forward with firm step.
The pillar signaled when to move and when to stay, for where the Lord wanted them to tarry the cloud settled and they pitched their tents there, remaining until the cloud lifted and moved forward again. So the cloud rested on Mount Sinai while Moses was in the mount instead of going before them, and rested over the tabernacle by day with fire by night after Moses' death as assurance God would still guide and help them if they walked in His commandments. It held them waiting at the Jordan, moved toward Edrei, led them south from Mount Hor through a hot sandy valley destitute of shade or vegetation where the way seemed long and difficult, and directed them to camp at waterless Rephidim to test faith.
This guidance began after deliverance from Egyptian bondage and led them about through the wilderness of the Red Sea rather than the near way through the land of the Philistines. God knew the Philistines would regard them as fugitives and make war on them, and that Israel at seeing war would repent and return to Egypt, so this leading revealed Him compassionate as well as a God of judgment, including foreknowledge that Pharaoh would pursue them and direction of just where to encamp before the sea. It continued forty years for a vast multitude of more than a million after a sojourn of nearly four hundred years of grievous slavery and oppression, and at the beginning of the march out of Egypt the ignorant and superstitious people, debased by long bondage in a land of superstition, looked on the cloud with wonder, some with fear and others as a favorable omen.
Christ the Invisible Leader
The Leader hidden within the pillar was Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God, the only-begotten Son equal with God and equal with the Father, one with the Father, existing from eternity and present as God. Enshrouded in cloud by day and fire by night, He personally led Israel through the wilderness, going before the people, guiding their wanderings, constantly showing the riches of love and patience, and never taking His presence away from before them. That guiding and protecting presence stood between Israel and the Egyptians, giving light to Israel while holding the Egyptians in darkness so no harm came to Israel, accompanying the safe crossing of the Red Sea and the overthrow of the pursuing army. The people grew accustomed to these constant signs and failed to value them as Himself, despite the wonderful things He continued to do for them through their perversity, murmuring and rebellion.
He was the invisible Leader while Moses was only the visible leader, receiving instructions from Him and speaking to the people through Moses. He is the Angel of the covenant, no common angel but greater than Moses, the mighty Counsellor watching over the people, correcting wrongdoing, encouraging trust, and leading safely toward the promised land, and the mighty General of armies who led and taught Israel forty years from the pillar. He is the Captain of the Lord's host who personally conducted the Hebrews and later appeared to Joshua, making holy the place where He appeared. The truths He gave then from the pillar are the same truths He taught when He came in human form, yet the people He had led and taught did not recognize Him as the heaven-sent Teacher.
He concealed Himself from sight within the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, continually leading Israel along a clear, ordered, straight, plain, certain and marked-out path where every step was ordered and following feet would not slide. His glory in the pillar was subdued and His majesty veiled, with the brightness of divine presence wrapped in the darkness of the cloud He made His pavilion, so weak finite sight could behold it and live. This veiling was God's plan by which He could approach fallen men and speak with them, reveal His will and give grace, allowing the people to endure looking upon the cloud as seeing Him who is invisible. It was set beforehand as type and symbol of Christ clothing divinity with humanity, putting invisible glory into visible human form in a body of humiliation in the likeness of men, so men could behold God and not be destroyed.
His sight reaches past, present and future, and He is over all the works of His creation. Enshrouded in the pillar He stayed with the armies of Israel and oversaw every phase of their experience to educate and discipline them, often testing their faith. He journeyed with them in cloud by day to shade them from the fierce rays of the sun and in fire by night to lead them, and His unfailing presence through their wilderness testing proves His presence with His people when trials are permitted to test them. That staying with them by day and by night is a beautiful illustration of mercy, and because He so led Israel He is to be recognized and honored by all who love God, with His commandments reverenced, cherished and obeyed as the controlling power of life.
His abiding presence continually assured them He was with them, giving peace, safety and courage. The cloud by day and fire by night signified that presence and served as its living reminder and continuing sign, picturing continual guidance, protection and sustenance. That presence did not depend on Moses, for the people were not forsaken when Moses was absent, and the sign remained after Moses' death as assurance God was still with them provided they remained faithful. The same assurance belongs to those who fear God and work righteousness, guiding and sustaining them through fearfully trying times, while merely assuming the presence remains is not the same as having evidence He is among His people to save from Satan's attacks.
Teaching Provision and Purpose
From within the pillar He spoke to reveal His will, impart grace, and educate Israel directly with infinite wisdom, because no human agency could supply the instruction and care they required. Through Moses He gave them the law proclaimed at the mount, with statutes, rites and ceremonies, and the gospel as truly as was later given from Sinai, together with directions for religious gatherings and for order in camp life. That counsel was to give light for all who would engage in His service, uniting minds in judgment as it did for Daniel and his three companions, and from the cloud as the great Teacher's presence He directed that every youth should learn useful work and trades. The truths thus given through Moses are to be gathered up, cherished, and sacredly obeyed still.
He led them in the wilderness separate from idolatrous nations and from all that would interfere with His purposes, that they might be a peculiar, distinct and holy people. There He desired them to gain an experience that would fit them to possess the promised land and to carry out His purposes in their individual lives, even working marvelously for them again and again when brought into difficulty and trial though they grew lax in the commandments that would have been their life. He bestowed upon them the bounties of heaven and expected them in turn to share those blessings with others less favored, dealing with His chosen people today in the same way. This leading was not for their benefit alone but as an object-lesson to the surrounding nations that acknowledged not God, establishing Israel as His own chosen possession to reveal Him as God above all human authority and greatness.
His abiding presence preserved them from the perils of the wilderness and brought them toward the land of promise. Journeying with the armies of Israel, He constantly guarded them from the beasts of the wilderness and from poisonous serpents by His restraining power, a protection from untold dangers they recognized only when constant murmuring caused restraint to be removed and fiery serpents were permitted to afflict the camp until Moses interceded and lifted the serpent of brass for healing to all who looked. Its continued presence through forty years after deliverance from Egyptian bondage and temptation, together with miracles of pure water from the rock when thirsty in straitened places and manna, angels' food, when they hankered after the flesh-pots of Egypt, gave unmistakable evidence that they were led and protected by divine power able to save and to reform their habits of eating.
He pledged Himself to lead the vast multitude of more than a million people safely to the promised land if they would follow His guidance, ruling them directly as His family with interest in every one of them, Moses and Aaron being only visible leaders with Moses receiving instruction from the invisible Leader to repeat to the people. Had they obeyed the directions given through Moses, not one who started from Egypt would have fallen prey to disease or death in the wilderness, and while they kept in mind the evidence that Moses talked with God they were preserved from all harm, but unbelief, rebellion, and murmuring brought punishment upon them. The church in the wilderness was therefore governed not by human authority, because He Himself led in the pillar of cloud and fire, so no man has right to exercise authority over His called and chosen and purchased ministers and medical missionary workers. This history of God Himself taking charge of their vast army after wonderfully delivering them from an oppressive king, the cloud enshrouding His own presence, is to be studied to learn lessons that keep from repeating the mistakes that spoiled their record.
Israel's Faith and Failure
Following the pillar was an act of faith, like Abraham going out not knowing where he was going, and that same pattern was repeated when Gentiles went forth by faith to find the promised Saviour. They kept God's outward sign in view while receiving inward evidence from the Holy Spirit impressing their hearts with hope and deepening conviction through the prophecies, making the long journey happy.
Israel often misread that guidance, seeing danger at the Red Sea as disaster instead of trusting God's protection, though the cloud by day shielded from the sun and guided the way and the fire by night lit the path. While Moses was in the mount the same cloud rested upon the mount instead of going before them, and the people read this change as proof that Moses had been slain by the flame and would never return and that the cloud would no longer direct them. Left as they thought without guidance, they demanded something visible to look upon like the gods of Egypt and to bear before them as their god on a return to Egypt. That demand rejected the visible sign God had already provided, for the cloud of the Presence remained before them even while they waited at Sinai. Because that same enshrouded Leader who parted the waters to leave a plain path through the sea was still with them and fighting for them with mighty powers of heaven on their side, for the spies to call Israel grasshoppers beside the Canaanites and to fear their walled cities was lack of faith that leavened the congregation with unbelief.
They grew accustomed to these signs because the cloud covered the people by day as a covering canopy and the pillar of fire was with them by night without ever leaving them, and treated it as a common thing instead of trusting the invisible God as their mighty Helper. They failed to value them as the presence of the only-begotten Son of God, equal with God, who continued to do wonderful things for them throughout the journey despite perversity, murmuring and rebellion, and who as the mighty Counsellor within the pillar watched over them, corrected wrongdoing, encouraged trust, and led safely toward the promised land. Yet they still murmured against their appointed leader and yielded to jealousy and faultfinding. That jealousy and murmuring accusing God of intending harm was cruel sin after fresh tokens of willingness to help when sought, for the abiding shadowy cloud and fiery pillar giving peace and safety, with water to refresh the thirsty and bread from heaven to satisfy hunger, proved God meant them good and not harm, was not restricting liberty with denials and severities, was not pleased to see His children suffer, but with all heaven was interested in human happiness. That presence of the Divine Helper could have stayed continually and lifted the burden from every weary soul if they had cherished gratitude, recounted blessings instead of murmuring, cherished faith, and laid aside fears and anxieties, proving it is safe to follow where God leads, like Christ formed within as the hope of glory enabling servants to feel safe and to sing while climbing mountain steeps or treading burning desert sands because Jesus is their companion. Every experience under that unerring guidance was used to teach obedience to the heavenly Guide and faith in His power to deliver, their deliverance from affliction in Egypt and passage through the Red Sea revealing His power to save, while punishment when they rebelled and went contrary to His will and judgments following murmurings taught that sorrow and suffering always result from transgression, God at times giving what they persisted in demanding to show He had withheld it for their own good. Jesus Christ spoke from that pillar of cloud to give direction. Had the nation obeyed those teachings given while Christ was present with them in the pillar, it would have glorified God above other nations and Jerusalem need not have been destroyed, but they disregarded God's commandments despite professing to regard them.
Their constant murmuring caused God to remove restraint and permit fiery serpents to afflict the camp, revealing the guarding power by which Jesus Christ Himself enshrouded in the pillar had indicated where to march and where to pitch tents and had constantly guarded them from beasts of the wilderness and poisonous serpents by restraining power against untold dangers. That removal came because of constant murmuring and loss of fear of Him. Deliverance came when Moses interceded and lifted up a serpent of brass for all who looked to be healed. All the fathers being under the cloud as they journeyed and all passing through the sea were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea, eating the same spiritual meat and drinking the same spiritual drink from the spiritual Rock that followed them, which was Christ, yet with many of them God was not well pleased and they were overthrown in the wilderness. All these things happened for examples and were written for admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, to the intent not to lust after evil things as they lusted, nor be idolaters, nor commit fornication, nor tempt Christ, nor murmur, so that whoever thinks he stands takes heed lest he fall.
Yet God did not take the pillar from before Israel even though murmurers and envious and jealous ones with deceitful hearts were among the tribes. That unremoved guidance proves God still had a people and still led them despite imperfections in individual members, so defects seen in the church do not justify drawing off in self-sufficiency and presumption, those who leave on some tangent being left behind while the church moves on under God's leading, with every member bound to stay connected with the great Head and labor for its success. Even when the mistakes of Israel were so great and multiplied that they had to turn back into the wilderness after reaching the border of Canaan, God did not leave them but went before them every day in the cloud of His presence, as shown also when a mistake made in the beginning of the work of the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium did not cause the Lord to leave it but He blessed it to relieve the sick and suffering, bring knowledge of right living to thousands, present truth to hundreds of guests, and train many young men and women for gospel work. This unbroken guidance and keeping power was given even while they were unmindful and ungrateful, the Christ of God Himself in the pillar giving directions and watching over them all the way, the cloud descending to show where tents should be pitched when they were to stop and lifting with every tent set in motion when they were to journey. After Moses' death the cloud by day and fire by night remained, resting over the tabernacle, as a sign that God was still with them and would continue to guide and help them, provided they remained faithful and walked in the way of His commandments.
Symbols and Scripture Links
The guiding pillar's light prefigured Christ as the source of spiritual light for a dark world, and the temple lamps kindled at the Feast of Tabernacles commemorated that desert pillar while pointing forward to the coming Messiah. That representation was rejoiced in even while Christ Himself, the true Light to which it pointed, was rejected as He stood in the shadow of the cross, a pitiful blindness and strange inconsistency hastening to doom. The cloud of glory that overshadowed the disciples at the transfiguration was brighter than the cloud that went before the tribes of Israel in the wilderness and remained before them by day and night as the sign of God's presence. That all the fathers were under the abiding cloud and all passed through the sea means they were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. With that baptism belonged eating the same spiritual meat and drinking the same spiritual drink from the spiritual Rock that followed them, which was Christ, yet with many of them God was not well pleased and they were overthrown in the wilderness. All these things happened as examples and were written for admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, to the intent not to lust after evil things as they lusted, nor be idolaters, nor commit fornication, nor tempt Christ, nor murmur, so that whoever thinks he stands must take heed lest he fall.
The Bible serves the same guiding role now that the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night served for Israel through the wilderness. The Word expresses God's will to man, is an unerring guide and the only perfect standard of character, and marks out human duty in every circumstance of life for those who study and obey it. To one following Christ it is a constant directory like the pillar, heaven's directory, a light to the feet and a lamp to the path, a light shining in a dark place directing amid business and the unceasing activity of daily life. It guides those who make the honor of God the first object of life, who study for themselves with humble hearts seeking truth, and who do not ignore or pervert its teachings, and through it truth was presented to the Jewish people. Without it men have no guide but the opinions of finite men, prejudice, passion, and changeable feelings, leaving the mind irritated, uncertain, and fevered, while truth enlightens all who desire to be led by the divine mind and error remains error despite worldly philosophizing. The same sign that illuminated Israel's camp and path and shed brightness before them made blacker darkness for Pharaoh's hosts as a wall of clouds by night. So God's commandments are as a pillar of fire to those who obey them, lighting and leading the way to eternal salvation with light, mercy, and deliverance, while to those who disregard and transgress them they are as clouds of night bringing darkness, terror, and wrath. The great light given becomes darkness to those who do not walk in it, so greater spiritual light brings duty to respond with obedience. God is a light to the meek, humble, thankful, and obedient who go forward and do present duty at any cost humbly trusting Him, opening seas of trouble into a safe path, vanishing trials, and shining light where He leads, but a cloud of darkness to the selfish, proud, impatient, and murmuring, and if people grope in darkness it is their own fault for refusing the companionship of the only One who can make the way bright and joyful and who offers to walk with them through all life's journey to cheer the way by His presence.
Because Christ Himself enshrouded in the pillar led the hosts and armies of Israel out of Egyptian bondage through the wilderness toward Canaan, the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law which He Himself gave are sacred and to be treated with great respect even after they were no longer to be observed. That deliverance, guidance, and lawgiving holds important truths of the Jewish economy and temple service that give light from the gospel, yet its plan is only half understood. Its full meaning is hindered by worldly understanding and by contempt for the Jewish age as a time of great darkness without Christ's grace, which dishonors Him who was present there. Fuller insight comes by daily study of the Word and by receiving Christ's word as the bread of heaven for spiritual strength, with truth capable of constant expansion through closer communion with Him, and the complete meaning will be unfolded in the future life. The principles of purity of life, right character, holy living, and practical daily godliness He gave to ancient Israel are the very same principles He later taught in person to His disciples on the mount when His divinity was veiled with humanity.
Guidance for People Today
The same Christ who gave instruction from the pillar of cloud and led Israel through the wilderness into the promised land is the Leader of His people today, and the pillar that was not taken away means believers remain under divine guidance now. Light from His throne shines all along the path of life, and the cloud by day and fire by night that went before ancient Israel still moves before His people in this important period of the world's history. Jesus Himself led them concealed from view in a straight, plain, certain, marked-out path where every step was ordered and following footsteps would not slide, so His people now shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life and need not live in doubt and uncertainty groping without a guide. He led Israel through the wilderness to separate them from all that would interfere with His purposes, giving them instruction through Moses on the journey, and those truths are to be gathered up, cherished, and sacredly obeyed today, bringing rich blessings to those who learn daily of God. That same going before belongs to those who warn the inhabitants of the great cities and seek out honest souls in mission fields and city work, for the Lord will go before them as He went before Israel.
Christian parents have the privilege of following that guidance along life's path and bringing their children with them toward the promised land. The pillar was kept before the people day by day in their travels to keep Christ's presence continually before them, and that abiding presence calls for order and for respect and unselfishness toward one another in march and song. It means that all manners in the home are to be as under the all-seeing eye of the Lord Jesus.
The continuing cloud by day and fire by night was the sign of God's presence, guidance, and protection, and merely assuming that presence remains upon sanctuaries and institutions is not the same as having true evidence that God is among His people to save them from Satan's attacks. To rest unconcerned as if these signs rested on the sanctuary shows complacency despite the light and blessings given, and takes God's favor for granted while the spiritual condition is neglected. God did not take the pillar from before Israel even though murmurers and envious and jealous ones with deceitful hearts were among the tribes, which proves He still had a people and still led them despite imperfections in individual members. Therefore defects seen in the church do not justify drawing off in self-sufficiency and presumption, for those who leave on some tangent are left behind while the church moves on under God's leading, and every member is bound to stay connected with the great Head and labor for its success. God does not desert His people when they make mistakes, for even when Israel's multiplied mistakes turned them back into the wilderness after reaching Canaan's border He did not leave them but went before them every day in the cloud of His presence, and so an institution begun with a mistake may still be blessed to relieve the sick, bring right living to thousands, present truth to hundreds, and train youth for gospel work. The wilderness church was governed not by human authority because Christ Himself led in the pillar, and He is still Leader today, so no man has right to exercise authority over His called and chosen ministers and medical missionary workers purchased by Him.
Obedience to God's commandments brings perfect safety and distinguished marks of His favor, while insisting on human plans instead of God's plans and refusing to follow brings failure and defeat. The cloud and pillar of fire continually going before Israel were tokens of His favor, yet their presence is no basis for claiming favor when lives contradict the truth. Professing to know God does not mean His presence and saving power are manifested, and professing to be His chosen people while spiritually dead or disobedient does not mean walking in the light, for the light itself has not diminished but people fail to live by it.
God stays with His people in the cloudy pillar while concealing Himself as He did from ancient Israel, and in the darkest part of the way where trials seem like a heavy cloud hiding every ray of sunshine, those who press on in duty will look back with joy and thankfulness. The pillar enshrining the Son of God remained as token of His presence and guiding hand even when Amorite armies opposed them, and keeping the eye fixed upon it gives courage and assurance that the same mighty God who delivered Israel many times is God still. If they are obedient to His voice He will be their guide and deliver in every emergency, opening passage where He has bidden them go and removing feared trials and hindrances as they march forward with firm and resolute step where He leads. To those who go forward and do present duty at any cost, humbly trusting God in obedience, the sea of trouble opens as they advance to reveal a safe path, trials vanish, and light shines where Christ leads. God is light to the meek, humble, thankful and obedient, but a cloud of darkness to the selfish, proud, impatient and murmuring, so if people grope in darkness it is their own fault for refusing the companionship of the only One who can make the way bright and joyful. In fearfully trying times to come those who trust the living God need not despond, for to those who fear the Lord and work righteousness He will be as fire by night and cloud by day, with most precious blessings and exalted privileges prepared for those who love truth and obey it in love of it.
This Old Testament history, if faithfully studied, teaches how the Word is to be the counselor and guide of experience, for Christ enshrouded in the pillar was the unerring guide and light of Israel's wandering and used every experience to teach obedience to the heavenly Guide and faith in His power to deliver. Deliverance from Egypt and passage through the Red Sea revealed His power to save, while punishment when they rebelled and judgments following murmurings taught that sorrow follows transgression, God at times giving what they persisted in demanding to show He had withheld it for their good. He educated that vast multitude with just the experience they needed, which no other power could give, not entrusted to human agency but to One infinite in wisdom, daily teaching what God requires His church on earth to be, instruction every soul today still needs. After wonderfully delivering Israel from an oppressive king, God Himself took charge of their vast army and guided them with His own presence enshrouded in the cloud, and this history is to be studied to keep from repeating the mistakes that spoiled their record. His teachings from the pillar He carried into His human life of self-denial and sacrifice, and they remain before every teacher of truth to practice, made effectual only when those in responsibility cease seeking advantage and carry kindness, truth, and righteousness into life to represent Him. That leading gives an education in winning souls to Christ and molding character according to God's plan until each one becomes an educating power.
He never took the pillar away from before the people, but kept it continuously with them by day and by night through all their journey. The cloud by day led and directed their way and sheltered them from the desert heat as a cooling canopy, while the fire by night gave light to the camp and the path so they could go by day and night. The Leader enshrouded in the pillar was Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God, equal with the Father and present as God, while Moses was only the visible leader receiving instructions from Him. He subdued His glory and veiled His majesty in cloud and darkness so weak finite sight could behold it and live. The same Christ still leads His people today with light from His throne moving before them, speaking His will and giving grace through His Word, and abiding with the obedient to give peace, safety and courage.
Words and Wilderness Setting
He took not away the pillar means it remained continuously before the people by day and by night throughout the whole journey, never removed from its place before them as the abiding sign of divine presence and guidance after the departure from Egypt. The cloud by day and the fire by night stayed without interruption, accompanying Israel in the wilderness and assuring them continually that God was with them, even when Moses was absent or dead. That unfailing presence was Jesus enshrouded in cloud and fire, ever with them as Leader and Guide through all their wanderings.
By day the cloud led them in the way and directed their route, and by night the fire gave them light, illuminating the whole camp and shedding brightness on the path before them so they could go by day and by night. The cloud went before them to show the way and shield them, while at night the fire lit their path and the camp like day. The same pillar that was light to Israel was darkness to others, for at the Red Sea it rose up, passed over Israel, and stood between Israel and the army of Egypt as a wall of darkness toward the Egyptians so they could not see the Hebrew camp and had to halt.
The cloud also sheltered them from the desert heat and burning sun, refreshing them with coolness and moisture as a covering canopy by day for forty years, with the cloud lighted up over them at night. Together with water to refresh the thirsty and bread from heaven to satisfy hunger, this abiding shade proved God meant them good and not harm, not restricting liberty with denials and severities nor delighting to see His children suffer, but with all heaven interested in human happiness. Even where bitter and sweet and grief and joy lie near together, that shade is among His alternating mercies to desert travelers until the short desert journey ends.
That same presence protected them, giving light to Israel while keeping Pharaoh's forces in darkness, standing between the camps so no harm came to Israel. Under this divine care they were safely conducted through the Red Sea while the pursuing Egyptian army was overthrown, and the token of His guiding hand remained before them when Amorite armies opposed them. He guarded them from beasts and serpents and opposing armies by heavenly restraining power, opening the passage where He bade them go for the obedient as they marched forward with firm step.
The pillar signaled when to move and when to stay, for where the Lord wanted them to tarry the cloud settled and they pitched their tents there, remaining until the cloud lifted and moved forward again. So the cloud rested on Mount Sinai while Moses was in the mount instead of going before them, and rested over the tabernacle by day with fire by night after Moses' death as assurance God would still guide and help them if they walked in His commandments. It held them waiting at the Jordan, moved toward Edrei, led them south from Mount Hor through a hot sandy valley destitute of shade or vegetation where the way seemed long and difficult, and directed them to camp at waterless Rephidim to test faith.
This guidance began after deliverance from Egyptian bondage and led them about through the wilderness of the Red Sea rather than the near way through the land of the Philistines. God knew the Philistines would regard them as fugitives and make war on them, and that Israel at seeing war would repent and return to Egypt, so this leading revealed Him compassionate as well as a God of judgment, including foreknowledge that Pharaoh would pursue them and direction of just where to encamp before the sea. It continued forty years for a vast multitude of more than a million after a sojourn of nearly four hundred years of grievous slavery and oppression, and at the beginning of the march out of Egypt the ignorant and superstitious people, debased by long bondage in a land of superstition, looked on the cloud with wonder, some with fear and others as a favorable omen.
Christ the Invisible Leader
The Leader hidden within the pillar was Jesus Christ Himself, the Son of God, the only-begotten Son equal with God and equal with the Father, one with the Father, existing from eternity and present as God. Enshrouded in cloud by day and fire by night, He personally led Israel through the wilderness, going before the people, guiding their wanderings, constantly showing the riches of love and patience, and never taking His presence away from before them. That guiding and protecting presence stood between Israel and the Egyptians, giving light to Israel while holding the Egyptians in darkness so no harm came to Israel, accompanying the safe crossing of the Red Sea and the overthrow of the pursuing army. The people grew accustomed to these constant signs and failed to value them as Himself, despite the wonderful things He continued to do for them through their perversity, murmuring and rebellion.
He was the invisible Leader while Moses was only the visible leader, receiving instructions from Him and speaking to the people through Moses. He is the Angel of the covenant, no common angel but greater than Moses, the mighty Counsellor watching over the people, correcting wrongdoing, encouraging trust, and leading safely toward the promised land, and the mighty General of armies who led and taught Israel forty years from the pillar. He is the Captain of the Lord's host who personally conducted the Hebrews and later appeared to Joshua, making holy the place where He appeared. The truths He gave then from the pillar are the same truths He taught when He came in human form, yet the people He had led and taught did not recognize Him as the heaven-sent Teacher.
He concealed Himself from sight within the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, continually leading Israel along a clear, ordered, straight, plain, certain and marked-out path where every step was ordered and following feet would not slide. His glory in the pillar was subdued and His majesty veiled, with the brightness of divine presence wrapped in the darkness of the cloud He made His pavilion, so weak finite sight could behold it and live. This veiling was God's plan by which He could approach fallen men and speak with them, reveal His will and give grace, allowing the people to endure looking upon the cloud as seeing Him who is invisible. It was set beforehand as type and symbol of Christ clothing divinity with humanity, putting invisible glory into visible human form in a body of humiliation in the likeness of men, so men could behold God and not be destroyed.
His sight reaches past, present and future, and He is over all the works of His creation. Enshrouded in the pillar He stayed with the armies of Israel and oversaw every phase of their experience to educate and discipline them, often testing their faith. He journeyed with them in cloud by day to shade them from the fierce rays of the sun and in fire by night to lead them, and His unfailing presence through their wilderness testing proves His presence with His people when trials are permitted to test them. That staying with them by day and by night is a beautiful illustration of mercy, and because He so led Israel He is to be recognized and honored by all who love God, with His commandments reverenced, cherished and obeyed as the controlling power of life.
His abiding presence continually assured them He was with them, giving peace, safety and courage. The cloud by day and fire by night signified that presence and served as its living reminder and continuing sign, picturing continual guidance, protection and sustenance. That presence did not depend on Moses, for the people were not forsaken when Moses was absent, and the sign remained after Moses' death as assurance God was still with them provided they remained faithful. The same assurance belongs to those who fear God and work righteousness, guiding and sustaining them through fearfully trying times, while merely assuming the presence remains is not the same as having evidence He is among His people to save from Satan's attacks.
Teaching Provision and Purpose
From within the pillar He spoke to reveal His will, impart grace, and educate Israel directly with infinite wisdom, because no human agency could supply the instruction and care they required. Through Moses He gave them the law proclaimed at the mount, with statutes, rites and ceremonies, and the gospel as truly as was later given from Sinai, together with directions for religious gatherings and for order in camp life. That counsel was to give light for all who would engage in His service, uniting minds in judgment as it did for Daniel and his three companions, and from the cloud as the great Teacher's presence He directed that every youth should learn useful work and trades. The truths thus given through Moses are to be gathered up, cherished, and sacredly obeyed still.
He led them in the wilderness separate from idolatrous nations and from all that would interfere with His purposes, that they might be a peculiar, distinct and holy people. There He desired them to gain an experience that would fit them to possess the promised land and to carry out His purposes in their individual lives, even working marvelously for them again and again when brought into difficulty and trial though they grew lax in the commandments that would have been their life. He bestowed upon them the bounties of heaven and expected them in turn to share those blessings with others less favored, dealing with His chosen people today in the same way. This leading was not for their benefit alone but as an object-lesson to the surrounding nations that acknowledged not God, establishing Israel as His own chosen possession to reveal Him as God above all human authority and greatness.
His abiding presence preserved them from the perils of the wilderness and brought them toward the land of promise. Journeying with the armies of Israel, He constantly guarded them from the beasts of the wilderness and from poisonous serpents by His restraining power, a protection from untold dangers they recognized only when constant murmuring caused restraint to be removed and fiery serpents were permitted to afflict the camp until Moses interceded and lifted the serpent of brass for healing to all who looked. Its continued presence through forty years after deliverance from Egyptian bondage and temptation, together with miracles of pure water from the rock when thirsty in straitened places and manna, angels' food, when they hankered after the flesh-pots of Egypt, gave unmistakable evidence that they were led and protected by divine power able to save and to reform their habits of eating.
He pledged Himself to lead the vast multitude of more than a million people safely to the promised land if they would follow His guidance, ruling them directly as His family with interest in every one of them, Moses and Aaron being only visible leaders with Moses receiving instruction from the invisible Leader to repeat to the people. Had they obeyed the directions given through Moses, not one who started from Egypt would have fallen prey to disease or death in the wilderness, and while they kept in mind the evidence that Moses talked with God they were preserved from all harm, but unbelief, rebellion, and murmuring brought punishment upon them. The church in the wilderness was therefore governed not by human authority, because He Himself led in the pillar of cloud and fire, so no man has right to exercise authority over His called and chosen and purchased ministers and medical missionary workers. This history of God Himself taking charge of their vast army after wonderfully delivering them from an oppressive king, the cloud enshrouding His own presence, is to be studied to learn lessons that keep from repeating the mistakes that spoiled their record.
Israel's Faith and Failure
Following the pillar was an act of faith, like Abraham going out not knowing where he was going, and that same pattern was repeated when Gentiles went forth by faith to find the promised Saviour. They kept God's outward sign in view while receiving inward evidence from the Holy Spirit impressing their hearts with hope and deepening conviction through the prophecies, making the long journey happy.
Israel often misread that guidance, seeing danger at the Red Sea as disaster instead of trusting God's protection, though the cloud by day shielded from the sun and guided the way and the fire by night lit the path. While Moses was in the mount the same cloud rested upon the mount instead of going before them, and the people read this change as proof that Moses had been slain by the flame and would never return and that the cloud would no longer direct them. Left as they thought without guidance, they demanded something visible to look upon like the gods of Egypt and to bear before them as their god on a return to Egypt. That demand rejected the visible sign God had already provided, for the cloud of the Presence remained before them even while they waited at Sinai. Because that same enshrouded Leader who parted the waters to leave a plain path through the sea was still with them and fighting for them with mighty powers of heaven on their side, for the spies to call Israel grasshoppers beside the Canaanites and to fear their walled cities was lack of faith that leavened the congregation with unbelief.
They grew accustomed to these signs because the cloud covered the people by day as a covering canopy and the pillar of fire was with them by night without ever leaving them, and treated it as a common thing instead of trusting the invisible God as their mighty Helper. They failed to value them as the presence of the only-begotten Son of God, equal with God, who continued to do wonderful things for them throughout the journey despite perversity, murmuring and rebellion, and who as the mighty Counsellor within the pillar watched over them, corrected wrongdoing, encouraged trust, and led safely toward the promised land. Yet they still murmured against their appointed leader and yielded to jealousy and faultfinding. That jealousy and murmuring accusing God of intending harm was cruel sin after fresh tokens of willingness to help when sought, for the abiding shadowy cloud and fiery pillar giving peace and safety, with water to refresh the thirsty and bread from heaven to satisfy hunger, proved God meant them good and not harm, was not restricting liberty with denials and severities, was not pleased to see His children suffer, but with all heaven was interested in human happiness. That presence of the Divine Helper could have stayed continually and lifted the burden from every weary soul if they had cherished gratitude, recounted blessings instead of murmuring, cherished faith, and laid aside fears and anxieties, proving it is safe to follow where God leads, like Christ formed within as the hope of glory enabling servants to feel safe and to sing while climbing mountain steeps or treading burning desert sands because Jesus is their companion. Every experience under that unerring guidance was used to teach obedience to the heavenly Guide and faith in His power to deliver, their deliverance from affliction in Egypt and passage through the Red Sea revealing His power to save, while punishment when they rebelled and went contrary to His will and judgments following murmurings taught that sorrow and suffering always result from transgression, God at times giving what they persisted in demanding to show He had withheld it for their own good. Jesus Christ spoke from that pillar of cloud to give direction. Had the nation obeyed those teachings given while Christ was present with them in the pillar, it would have glorified God above other nations and Jerusalem need not have been destroyed, but they disregarded God's commandments despite professing to regard them.
Their constant murmuring caused God to remove restraint and permit fiery serpents to afflict the camp, revealing the guarding power by which Jesus Christ Himself enshrouded in the pillar had indicated where to march and where to pitch tents and had constantly guarded them from beasts of the wilderness and poisonous serpents by restraining power against untold dangers. That removal came because of constant murmuring and loss of fear of Him. Deliverance came when Moses interceded and lifted up a serpent of brass for all who looked to be healed. All the fathers being under the cloud as they journeyed and all passing through the sea were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea, eating the same spiritual meat and drinking the same spiritual drink from the spiritual Rock that followed them, which was Christ, yet with many of them God was not well pleased and they were overthrown in the wilderness. All these things happened for examples and were written for admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, to the intent not to lust after evil things as they lusted, nor be idolaters, nor commit fornication, nor tempt Christ, nor murmur, so that whoever thinks he stands takes heed lest he fall.
Yet God did not take the pillar from before Israel even though murmurers and envious and jealous ones with deceitful hearts were among the tribes. That unremoved guidance proves God still had a people and still led them despite imperfections in individual members, so defects seen in the church do not justify drawing off in self-sufficiency and presumption, those who leave on some tangent being left behind while the church moves on under God's leading, with every member bound to stay connected with the great Head and labor for its success. Even when the mistakes of Israel were so great and multiplied that they had to turn back into the wilderness after reaching the border of Canaan, God did not leave them but went before them every day in the cloud of His presence, as shown also when a mistake made in the beginning of the work of the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium did not cause the Lord to leave it but He blessed it to relieve the sick and suffering, bring knowledge of right living to thousands, present truth to hundreds of guests, and train many young men and women for gospel work. This unbroken guidance and keeping power was given even while they were unmindful and ungrateful, the Christ of God Himself in the pillar giving directions and watching over them all the way, the cloud descending to show where tents should be pitched when they were to stop and lifting with every tent set in motion when they were to journey. After Moses' death the cloud by day and fire by night remained, resting over the tabernacle, as a sign that God was still with them and would continue to guide and help them, provided they remained faithful and walked in the way of His commandments.
Symbols and Scripture Links
The guiding pillar's light prefigured Christ as the source of spiritual light for a dark world, and the temple lamps kindled at the Feast of Tabernacles commemorated that desert pillar while pointing forward to the coming Messiah. That representation was rejoiced in even while Christ Himself, the true Light to which it pointed, was rejected as He stood in the shadow of the cross, a pitiful blindness and strange inconsistency hastening to doom. The cloud of glory that overshadowed the disciples at the transfiguration was brighter than the cloud that went before the tribes of Israel in the wilderness and remained before them by day and night as the sign of God's presence. That all the fathers were under the abiding cloud and all passed through the sea means they were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. With that baptism belonged eating the same spiritual meat and drinking the same spiritual drink from the spiritual Rock that followed them, which was Christ, yet with many of them God was not well pleased and they were overthrown in the wilderness. All these things happened as examples and were written for admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come, to the intent not to lust after evil things as they lusted, nor be idolaters, nor commit fornication, nor tempt Christ, nor murmur, so that whoever thinks he stands must take heed lest he fall.
The Bible serves the same guiding role now that the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night served for Israel through the wilderness. The Word expresses God's will to man, is an unerring guide and the only perfect standard of character, and marks out human duty in every circumstance of life for those who study and obey it. To one following Christ it is a constant directory like the pillar, heaven's directory, a light to the feet and a lamp to the path, a light shining in a dark place directing amid business and the unceasing activity of daily life. It guides those who make the honor of God the first object of life, who study for themselves with humble hearts seeking truth, and who do not ignore or pervert its teachings, and through it truth was presented to the Jewish people. Without it men have no guide but the opinions of finite men, prejudice, passion, and changeable feelings, leaving the mind irritated, uncertain, and fevered, while truth enlightens all who desire to be led by the divine mind and error remains error despite worldly philosophizing. The same sign that illuminated Israel's camp and path and shed brightness before them made blacker darkness for Pharaoh's hosts as a wall of clouds by night. So God's commandments are as a pillar of fire to those who obey them, lighting and leading the way to eternal salvation with light, mercy, and deliverance, while to those who disregard and transgress them they are as clouds of night bringing darkness, terror, and wrath. The great light given becomes darkness to those who do not walk in it, so greater spiritual light brings duty to respond with obedience. God is a light to the meek, humble, thankful, and obedient who go forward and do present duty at any cost humbly trusting Him, opening seas of trouble into a safe path, vanishing trials, and shining light where He leads, but a cloud of darkness to the selfish, proud, impatient, and murmuring, and if people grope in darkness it is their own fault for refusing the companionship of the only One who can make the way bright and joyful and who offers to walk with them through all life's journey to cheer the way by His presence.
Because Christ Himself enshrouded in the pillar led the hosts and armies of Israel out of Egyptian bondage through the wilderness toward Canaan, the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law which He Himself gave are sacred and to be treated with great respect even after they were no longer to be observed. That deliverance, guidance, and lawgiving holds important truths of the Jewish economy and temple service that give light from the gospel, yet its plan is only half understood. Its full meaning is hindered by worldly understanding and by contempt for the Jewish age as a time of great darkness without Christ's grace, which dishonors Him who was present there. Fuller insight comes by daily study of the Word and by receiving Christ's word as the bread of heaven for spiritual strength, with truth capable of constant expansion through closer communion with Him, and the complete meaning will be unfolded in the future life. The principles of purity of life, right character, holy living, and practical daily godliness He gave to ancient Israel are the very same principles He later taught in person to His disciples on the mount when His divinity was veiled with humanity.
Guidance for People Today
The same Christ who gave instruction from the pillar of cloud and led Israel through the wilderness into the promised land is the Leader of His people today, and the pillar that was not taken away means believers remain under divine guidance now. Light from His throne shines all along the path of life, and the cloud by day and fire by night that went before ancient Israel still moves before His people in this important period of the world's history. Jesus Himself led them concealed from view in a straight, plain, certain, marked-out path where every step was ordered and following footsteps would not slide, so His people now shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life and need not live in doubt and uncertainty groping without a guide. He led Israel through the wilderness to separate them from all that would interfere with His purposes, giving them instruction through Moses on the journey, and those truths are to be gathered up, cherished, and sacredly obeyed today, bringing rich blessings to those who learn daily of God. That same going before belongs to those who warn the inhabitants of the great cities and seek out honest souls in mission fields and city work, for the Lord will go before them as He went before Israel.
Christian parents have the privilege of following that guidance along life's path and bringing their children with them toward the promised land. The pillar was kept before the people day by day in their travels to keep Christ's presence continually before them, and that abiding presence calls for order and for respect and unselfishness toward one another in march and song. It means that all manners in the home are to be as under the all-seeing eye of the Lord Jesus.
The continuing cloud by day and fire by night was the sign of God's presence, guidance, and protection, and merely assuming that presence remains upon sanctuaries and institutions is not the same as having true evidence that God is among His people to save them from Satan's attacks. To rest unconcerned as if these signs rested on the sanctuary shows complacency despite the light and blessings given, and takes God's favor for granted while the spiritual condition is neglected. God did not take the pillar from before Israel even though murmurers and envious and jealous ones with deceitful hearts were among the tribes, which proves He still had a people and still led them despite imperfections in individual members. Therefore defects seen in the church do not justify drawing off in self-sufficiency and presumption, for those who leave on some tangent are left behind while the church moves on under God's leading, and every member is bound to stay connected with the great Head and labor for its success. God does not desert His people when they make mistakes, for even when Israel's multiplied mistakes turned them back into the wilderness after reaching Canaan's border He did not leave them but went before them every day in the cloud of His presence, and so an institution begun with a mistake may still be blessed to relieve the sick, bring right living to thousands, present truth to hundreds, and train youth for gospel work. The wilderness church was governed not by human authority because Christ Himself led in the pillar, and He is still Leader today, so no man has right to exercise authority over His called and chosen ministers and medical missionary workers purchased by Him.
Obedience to God's commandments brings perfect safety and distinguished marks of His favor, while insisting on human plans instead of God's plans and refusing to follow brings failure and defeat. The cloud and pillar of fire continually going before Israel were tokens of His favor, yet their presence is no basis for claiming favor when lives contradict the truth. Professing to know God does not mean His presence and saving power are manifested, and professing to be His chosen people while spiritually dead or disobedient does not mean walking in the light, for the light itself has not diminished but people fail to live by it.
God stays with His people in the cloudy pillar while concealing Himself as He did from ancient Israel, and in the darkest part of the way where trials seem like a heavy cloud hiding every ray of sunshine, those who press on in duty will look back with joy and thankfulness. The pillar enshrining the Son of God remained as token of His presence and guiding hand even when Amorite armies opposed them, and keeping the eye fixed upon it gives courage and assurance that the same mighty God who delivered Israel many times is God still. If they are obedient to His voice He will be their guide and deliver in every emergency, opening passage where He has bidden them go and removing feared trials and hindrances as they march forward with firm and resolute step where He leads. To those who go forward and do present duty at any cost, humbly trusting God in obedience, the sea of trouble opens as they advance to reveal a safe path, trials vanish, and light shines where Christ leads. God is light to the meek, humble, thankful and obedient, but a cloud of darkness to the selfish, proud, impatient and murmuring, so if people grope in darkness it is their own fault for refusing the companionship of the only One who can make the way bright and joyful. In fearfully trying times to come those who trust the living God need not despond, for to those who fear the Lord and work righteousness He will be as fire by night and cloud by day, with most precious blessings and exalted privileges prepared for those who love truth and obey it in love of it.
This Old Testament history, if faithfully studied, teaches how the Word is to be the counselor and guide of experience, for Christ enshrouded in the pillar was the unerring guide and light of Israel's wandering and used every experience to teach obedience to the heavenly Guide and faith in His power to deliver. Deliverance from Egypt and passage through the Red Sea revealed His power to save, while punishment when they rebelled and judgments following murmurings taught that sorrow follows transgression, God at times giving what they persisted in demanding to show He had withheld it for their good. He educated that vast multitude with just the experience they needed, which no other power could give, not entrusted to human agency but to One infinite in wisdom, daily teaching what God requires His church on earth to be, instruction every soul today still needs. After wonderfully delivering Israel from an oppressive king, God Himself took charge of their vast army and guided them with His own presence enshrouded in the cloud, and this history is to be studied to keep from repeating the mistakes that spoiled their record. His teachings from the pillar He carried into His human life of self-denial and sacrifice, and they remain before every teacher of truth to practice, made effectual only when those in responsibility cease seeking advantage and carry kindness, truth, and righteousness into life to represent Him. That leading gives an education in winning souls to Christ and molding character according to God's plan until each one becomes an educating power.