In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.
The psalm is a song made to be kept in mind by the people as they journeyed, and it calls for careful, attentive reading of Israel's wilderness history as instruction that brings people into harmony with God and with one another. It describes a miraculous leading and continual keeping through the wilderness, with a cloud given for direction by day and a light of fire by night. That leading was the source of Israel's strength, upholding them day and night without ceasing.
This guidance displays goodness, power, and faithfulness in rich blessings, tender care, and deliverance bestowed upon the people. It is a record of the goodness of God to the children of Israel even while they were constantly working against Him. These works stood as reminders to them of His care and deliverance.
Against such goodness they made a poor return, soon forgetting those reminders and rebelling. When trials came they complained and forgot Him from whom their strength came. Through disobedience they brought themselves into the condition that was the sure result of their own course, and though under rebuke and chastisement they repented, they fell again under temptation, self-indulgence, and self-gratification.
The care thus displayed is reason to trust for strength and help, for the same power and faithfulness remain. Those who abide in Christ and fully receive heavenly truth advance in the divine life and are sanctified by it. Instead of complaining in trial and forgetting God, they hold fast to His strength.
The psalm is a song made to be kept in mind by the people as they journeyed, and it calls for careful, attentive reading of Israel's wilderness history as instruction that brings people into harmony with God and with one another. It describes a miraculous leading and continual keeping through the wilderness, with a cloud given for direction by day and a light of fire by night. That leading was the source of Israel's strength, upholding them day and night without ceasing.
This guidance displays goodness, power, and faithfulness in rich blessings, tender care, and deliverance bestowed upon the people. It is a record of the goodness of God to the children of Israel even while they were constantly working against Him. These works stood as reminders to them of His care and deliverance.
Against such goodness they made a poor return, soon forgetting those reminders and rebelling. When trials came they complained and forgot Him from whom their strength came. Through disobedience they brought themselves into the condition that was the sure result of their own course, and though under rebuke and chastisement they repented, they fell again under temptation, self-indulgence, and self-gratification.
The care thus displayed is reason to trust for strength and help, for the same power and faithfulness remain. Those who abide in Christ and fully receive heavenly truth advance in the divine life and are sanctified by it. Instead of complaining in trial and forgetting God, they hold fast to His strength.