The Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire
Ex. 13:21-22
Introduction
We take a short break on our lesson on the book of Colossians. Today we will be talking about something else, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. It first appeared here in Exodus 13: 21 after Pharaoh let the children of Israel leave Egypt as they travel go to the wilderness and of course the Red Sea on their way to the Promise Land. What does these two represent? What can we learn from them?
I. The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of fire represents God’s presence.
A. It was a visible evidence of God’s presence. The invisible God cannot be seen but as long as the Israelites see these two they know that God is with them. It is an assurance that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is with them. What a wonderful sight and guarantee of God’s presence. Ex. 40:34-38.
B. We don’t need the Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire now as children of God. We have the Holy Spirit now who lives insides us. As we have studied previously, Christ is with us and we are in Christ. (Col. 1:27)
C. We now live by faith not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). We don’t need to see these things now. The unbelievers and doubters tell “to see is to believe; we tell them believe first then you will see”.
D. Jesus says in Mat. 28:20…I am with you always even unto the end of the world. He promised in Heb. 13:5 …I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. We can count on Him and we can rely on Him because He always does as He says. Do you doubt God’s presence? Read Ps. 139:7-12, Jer. 23:23-24.
II. The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of fire represents God’s protection
A. The Pillar of Cloud came between the Jews and the Egyptians (Ex. 14:19). It gave light to God’s people but darkness to God’s enemies. See also Ex. 14:24.
B. Because of the pillar of cloud, there was a clear separation between God’s people and God’s enemies. It serves as a dividing line, a space where the Egyptian cannot do harm to the Israelites. No weapon of war like arrows, spears, and chariots can come close and do physical injury to them.
C. In Ex. 14:24 it says “in the morning watch, the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the Pillar of fire and of the cloud and troubled the host of the Egyptians. The Lord is looking also at us and at our enemies. As children of God, the world hates us. Unbelievers just hate us even if we have not done anything wrong at them. Don’t worry we have divine protection.
D. We are guaranteed protection against:
1. Temptation 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Pet. 2:9;
2. Persecution. Luk. 21:18,
3. Calamities. Ps. 57:1; 59:16,
4. All dangers. Ps. 91:3-7.
5. Evil. 2Th 3:3
6. Sleep. Ps. 3:5; 4:8; Pr. 3:24.
7. Death. Ps 23:4. Daniel was protected in the lion’s den, Dan. 6:22. Peter, Ac 12:4-7
III. The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire represents God’s guidance.
A. The Israelites though they have been in Egypt for hundreds of years doesn’t know the desert. The Pillar of Cloud was their guide during the day and the Pillar of fire was their guide during the night.
B. In the olden times, people in the desert travel during night and rest on daytime. In the dark of the night you can easily lose your way. The Pillar of Fire gives light on their way so they will never be lost.
C. The Pillar of Cloud and Fire now is gone but we have the Word of God. We have the Bible as our guide on how we live as children of God. Ps. 119:105.
D. Jesus Christ said that he is the light of the world and he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life Jn. 8:12. We follow the teaching of Christ not the teachings of Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, or any of the modern day leaders who does not teach the pure word of God.
E. So many imitation light now but there is one true light, which is the Lord Jesus Christ. So many false preachers and ministers now who teach the Bible and mix it with their philosophy and psychology.
The most dangerous weapon now is not the atomic bombs but the half-truths that is being taught to people, because it gives them false hope and sends them to hell. David Koresh who had sexual relationship with the women in the church, Jim Jones who led many people to commit suicide, Charles Taze Russell of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mormons, the Seventh Day Adventists, Scientologist, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, the health, wealth and prosperity preachers, and so much more. No wonder Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light, 2 Cor. 11:14.
IV. Conclusion:
The Pillar of cloud and pillar of fire represents God’s presence, the manifestation of the invisible God. It also represents God’s protection, and guidance. Even if we do not see them now, we can still feel and experience his presence, protection, and guidance if we have Christ in our lives. If you haven’t receive Christ as your personal saviour, now is the time.
Preached: 10 March 2013
