“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle… 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…”
“And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly…
“When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord… And Moses said to the people, ‘Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent…’
“Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night…
“And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus 13:17-18,20-22; 14:8,10,13-14,19-20,22a
The Lord God was always teaching His people, and used both words and visual aids. He knew their propensity to look this way and that and on their enemies with fear, so He trained them to turn their eyes toward Him. It was hard to avoid a pillar of cloud or fire- each opaque, each captivating, both representing His mysterious and bright power that both led and protected. The grit was weaning from self-dependence and hard training in faith, the grace was His consistent presence that hemmed them in. (Psalm 139:5)
When the cloud of God’s abiding which they followed but through which they could not see moved from in front to behind, the Israelites were able to witness the salvation of the Lord. Walls of water’s wrath were held back and the Lord made the otherwise impossible way through dry ground. God indeed delivered them from certain death. (Exodus 14:21-31)
He does the same for us when we still our striving and rest in His salvation. Do we have the grit to believe Him even when we cannot see? Will we receive and extend His free grace that flames forth and within? The natural result of being held between cloud and fire is praise because we’ve seen and known the hand of God. (Exodus 15:11-13)
Lord, may my daily experiences with Your cloud and fire elicit spontaneous praise to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 