By day you led them with a pillar of cloud, and by night with a pillar of fire to give them light on the way they were to take. Nehemiah9:12
Nehemiah is reflecting on the Exodus some 800 years after the event. For him the pillar of cloud and fire ranks with the parting of the Red Sea and the giving of the Law at Sinai. The pillar of fire and cloud was the symbol and pledge of God's presence with them.
The pillar is a very practical expression of presence and provision. The cloud shaded them by day, fire might have taken the chill out of the night and also provided light for them.
It wasn't only about showing the way, it was about reassuring them of His presence and it was also a warning to their enemies. To this day we find the light of a fire comforting and reassuring.
The pillar of fire and cloud tells us about about the nature of God. The pillar was not so much a signpost to show the way (it wasn't _that_ hard to navigate the Sinai wilderness) as it was a reassurance of God's presence, protection and provision.
The night times in the wilderness could be frightening for the Israelites. A fiery pillar providing warmth and light is a powerful reassurance.
Sometimes we must travel through the wild-ness of life. There are enemies, the way isn't always clear and we need to be reassured that God is with us, watching over us and meeting our needs.
God hasn't changed - He's still the same - yesterday, today, forever - He still provides, protects and shows His presence among us. We have His Spirit in our hearts, His Word to light our paths and the community of God's people with us.
If you look back, like Nehemiah did, you will see the symbols of God's presence in your wild-ness.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
