Pillar of Cloud and Fire

Introduction

Context: The firstborn in Egypt have been killed, and Pharaoh has set Israel free. God has given them several festivals and ways to remember what He has done.

1. The Exodus, or the quick leaving of the Israelites

2. The Institution of the Passover as a Time of Remembrance.

3. The Feast of Unleavened Bread

He is now leading them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. The task he has given them is next to impossible if not completely impossible. Notice that God did not tell them to get their plans together. God gave them some festivals to celebrate and said, “Go.” I cannot imagine the weight of that task.

Some of us walk in here carrying a heavy weight. We carry the weight of health issues, consequences of our actions, the pain of a family member’s choices, the death of a loved one, the calling that seems too difficult to bear, or anything else.

We can rest in these words of this old hymn, because they are true: He leadeth me, O Blessed thought. O Words with heavenly comfort fraught. Whatever I do, Wherever I be, Still by His hand he leadeth me.

CIT: God’s presence protects us and leads us.

Explanation

English Standard Version Chapter 13

17 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.” 18 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.

God led the people of Israel to the wilderness instead of the land of the Philistines. The trip would take much longer. Why would God lead the Israelites this way?

God was protecting Israel. Egypt and the Philistines were often at war, so armed groups would have been located along the journey. The closest and easiest way is not always the best way. The easiest path is not always the best path. (v17)

God was not going to allow them to return to Egypt. God had saved them, and He was with them until they were delivered. (v18)

God didn’t save them to give them back.

Once God has you, you are his.

“I’m not up for sale. God” No, but you have been adopted. Can you imagine adopting a child who looks at your house and desiring the comfort the familiarity of his orphanage, says ,”I want to go back.” What do you say, “Sure!” or “No.”

Most of all, God was going about to teach Israel to fully depend upon him. (v18).

God’s leads us to depend upon Him in the most unlikely and unconventional of ways.

Some of you are banging on the door that you want God to open. Meet Him in the hallway.

1 Peter 5:6 // Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

God sometimes has to take us to that place, and it often isn’t pretty. We think that God is cruel, but he is incredibly merciful.

Self reliance for the unsaved is damning, but self reliance for the saved is soul rotting. The Pharisees had self-reliance down pat! But for you in this room who believe in Christ, trace your anxiety, anger, bitterness, depression to it’s root, and you will often find that it is due to your self reliance.

You will come to a place where your anxieties, frustrations, and fears will eat you alive, or you will trust in the sovereign one and submit to the life he has for you.

English Standard Version Chapter 13

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.”

Joseph’s remains were going home. He was going to be buried where he belonged.

Genesis 50:25 // And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.”

God had visited. And Joseph was right. God was true to His promise. His visited Egypt, and Israel was going home.

Taking Joseph’s bones was not a sentimental gesture. It was an act of faith.

English Standard Version Chapter 13

20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 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. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.

God’s presence never left Israel, and He told them exactly where they needed to go.

What does the pillar of cloud and fire mean? God’s presence. God is near.

Two things you must never forget.

God’s presence is ever near.

God’s presence tells us where to go.

Marriage is not about the fancy vacations, big house, or fancy cars. Marriage is about being with the person that you love wherever you are. Life is good, because they are with you. You don’t marry someone because they make life perfect. You marry someone who is going to be with you throughout all of the hardships that you face.

Our relationship with God is the exact same way. God doesn’t make every situation perfect, but he does walk with us through every situation.

Application

So often, we ask God, “God, what am I doing here?” instead of , “God, what are you doing here?” LISTEN: God led us here, and he is with us here.

We often look at our circumstances, and we ask God to change them.

Wherever you are, God has a plan and a purpose. He has not left you.

When we get to the desert place, does faith look like?

We remember that God has never broken a promise.

We know that God’s presence is our greatest good. We follow Him anywhere he leads.

The desert place is one of wonder when the presence of God is near.

Conclusion