The LORD Went In Front Of
Them
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did
not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer;
for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and
return to Egypt.” So God led the people by the
roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle. And Moses took
with him the bones of Joseph who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites,
saying, “God will surely take notice of you, and then you must carry my Bones
with you from here.” They set out from Succoth, and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD went in
front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a
pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day
and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by
night left its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:17-22
The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved
and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and
took its place behind them. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the
darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
Exodus 14:19-20
The Lord led the children of Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a
pillar of fire by night. There is a parallel between this cloud in the
wilderness and the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Just as the cloud was
a gracious gift to the Israelites, so the Holy Spirit is a gift to the trusting
child of God. Even as the cloud remained with Israel in the wilderness, so Jesus promised
that the Father would send the Spirit, who would remain with believers forever.
When we are led by the Spirit, our lives will be characterized by love, joy,
peace, and self-control. We will be the effective witnesses for Christ as we
travel through the wilderness of this world.
The power that compels us comes from the
Spirit who dwells in us.
Our Daily Bread – July 2, 2006