After a sojourn in Egypt lasting 430 years, Israel was dismissed by Pharaoh and departed from their Egyptian bondage At the outset of the long journey it was made dear to Israel that God was to be their Guide. As they left Egypt, He did not lead the people through the land of the Philistines, but rather, on a circuitous route (Exodus 13:18). Why? After four centuries of slavery, the Israelites were in no position to fight a war-like people such as the Philistines, so their course was altered by God, as Moses led the host

Encamping at Etham, at the edge of the wilderness, a miraculous incident occurred, “The Lord went before them,” constituting Himself the leader of this orderly army, He led through that “great and terrible wilderness.” (Exodus 13:21) Here they were without arms, without stores either of clothing or provisions, without knowing from where the bread and water for their sustenance was coming, but God in His goodness came to them in a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night to protect them until they came to the Promised Land. God did not tell His people to ‘go” to Canaan, but “come”. He was to be their Guide and traveling Companion through their journey.

This pillar had the appearance of a cloud by day and would shelter the people from the heat of the sun (Psalm 105:39; Isaiah 4:5); and of fire by night, so the people had no darkness at all Thus it guarded as well as guided them. While die pillar gave protection, guidance and light to the Israelites, it also interposed between them and die pursuing Egyptians, to whom the pillar was a cloud and darkness.

Further, this pillar was both a signal and a guide. When it moved, the people moved; when it stopped, they encamped (Exodus 40:36-38); where it went, they followed. When the cloud abode on the Tabernacle over the mercy seat, the congregation was at rest (Exodus 13:21,22; 14:19,24). When God wished to communicate His will and word to Moses, die cloud descended to die door of the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:9-11; 34:5; Numbers 11:25; 12:5; Deuteronomy 31:15). This symbol of God’s presence, protection, and provision remained with die people all through the wilderness up until the death of Moses. Although His people proved to be “rebellious and stiff-necked,” with every fresh trial calling forth a murmuring, discontented spirit, God’s matchless grace bore with their manners during the forty years in the wilderness. Upon reaching the land of promise, the people no longer required the cloud, and they had to walk by faith and not by sight

The Church has His promised presence and provision until His return. “Lo, I am with you always.” He is ever near who said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).