“Now it came about when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.” Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt… And the LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” (Exodus 13:17-18, 21-22)
The story of Moses is an account of numerous appearances with God. The angel of the LORD appears to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3) in a most personal, “one-on-one” encounter. Fast forward to Moses leading the people of Israel away from Pharaoh and the slavery of Egypt (Exodus 13) and we have a much more public and spectacular appearance by God via fire- the “pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night”.
The “Shekinah Glory” of the LORD appearing as a “24/7” pillar is described as “the LORD” (Exodus 13:21) and “the angel of God” (Exodus 14:19). The essence of the word “Shekinah” is to dwell, and to be resident. The LORD dwelled with His people, He “tabernacled” with them.
The pillar of cloud and fire:
- guided – Deuteronmy 1:33, “But for all this (He fought for you in Egypt) you did not trust the Lord your God, who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way you should go.”
- protected – Psalm 105:39, “Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of them had fallen upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to illumine the night.”
- comforted – Psalm 105:39, “He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to illumine by night.
- instructed. – Psalm 99:7, “They called upon the Lord and He answered them, He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud…”
The Shekinah Glory was Christ Jesus!
John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh, and tabernacled (Shekinahed) among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Emmanuel...God with us!
The God who abides!
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