“By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.”
Nehemiah 9:12
Last time we saw how God cast down the Israelites’ pursuers into the Red Sea while they crossed over on dry land. Today we move into a new section of worship for the remembering exiles: how Covenant Yahweh led them in the wilderness.
You led them (nachah – to lead, guide, bring, station, bestow, govern, lead forth) with a pillar (ammud – column, post from amad – to stand, take one’s stand) of cloud (anan – cloud, heavy mist – from anan – to soothsay, practice magic, cloud over/act covertly)
Once the returned exiles’ ancestors were safely across the Red Sea, they worshipped God for His stunning redemption on their behalf. Moses begins a praise song, and Miriam leads the women in a tambourine parade.
But after that? Wilderness. And a lot of grumbling from the people. But we’ll get to that. First we get to celebrate the way Yahweh led the people through this wilderness: He guided, governed, and led them forth with a pillar of cloud during the day.
Even in the face of unknown territory, little proof of food and water, and desert heat, God guided His people. He makes a way for us no matter how hopeless circumstances may seem. This word nachah is also used in Psalm 23, the Shepherd Song:
“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want…
He guides (nachah) me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake…” (Ps 23:1, 3b)
And the way God guided and governed them was with a pillar of cloud. Pillar is ammud: a column, post. It comes from amad – to stand, take one’s stand. The cloud which showed them where to move or when to rest was in an obvious column. A clear post showing the people how to stand on Him as their Leader. The One Who would perfectly guide in a way no human could.
And this conspicuous column was a cloud (anan – cloud, heavy mist; from anan – to soothsay, practice magic, cloud over/act covertly). In other words, the origin of this idea of a misty cloud is more like pulling the wool over someone’s eyes. A smoke show. To look good and seem to clearly know the future, but in reality to cloud over the Genuine Good. Just like any idol.
In a beautiful reversal of this definition of covert – acting in secret, veiling truth – God uses the heavy mist of a cloud to make Himself obvious. He is not hidden, hasn’t spoken to us in secret, nor told us to seek Him in vain. The heavens declare His glory. The skies proclaim His work. Their voice goes into the entire world.
And, of course, we have what the ancient Israelites did not yet: His flawless Word, revealing all we need to know in order to have relationship with Him. He is the Genuine Good. Not the Wizard of Oz behind a smoke screen, but the Powerful Creator of the Universe, fully engaged in His creation, openly displaying Love for people.
But this clear exhibition of love and leadership from God to His people was not only during the day. When the sun went down, He also governed them with a pillar of fire – esh – a fire, blazing, burning coals, flaming, flashing, burning, fiery.
No street lamps or flashlights, among wildlife and possible bandits, no clear map or understanding of the topography, Covenant Yahweh provided. And He did it at night (layil – midnight season, a twist away of the light, adversity; from lul – winding staircase, enclosed space, spiral step; as compare to lulaah – loop).
Indeed, most of us have been in a midnight season. When our circumstances seem to turn from light, adversity feels multiplied. Or our innermost self spirals, anxieties and fears on a loop in our heart, seemingly suffocating in an enclosed space.
Ever been there? If so, you recognize the intensity of darkness. Hopefully you also have known the aching delight of light. Because that is what His overt display of guidance was for: to give [them] light (or – to be or become light, bright, dawn, enlightened, illumine, kindle, shine, resplendent, luminous, glorious, set on fire).
He is the One Who turns our darkness into light.
And He did not give this resplendent illumination simply to help them in the moment, but to show the way (derek – way, road, distance, journey, direction, path, walk; from darak – tread, march, lead) they should go (halak – to go, travel, walk, increasing, brighter, grew steadily).
This is good news for us collectively, friends. We are in a spiraling time, where many whose job it is to lead us are turning away from light. Fortunately, we serve the One in Whom there is no darkness. He will brighten the direction we march together. Remember that path of righteousness He leads us in? Because of His governance, we as His Bride can grow increasingly steady, brighter in the future, even knowing in this life, darkness will be along for the ride.
And we can take this direction, the path of light, into any dark corner of civic life. We can set on fire our workplaces and schools, our businesses and neighborhoods, our hospitals and stores by living out His Word. Remember, there is no law against the Fruit of the Spirit. This life in Him transcends conventional borders and divisions. The light shines in increasing lumens, growing steadier and bolder.
Let’s call out darkness in any wilderness in which we find ourselves. Then let’s watch Him brighten the path forward.