It's interesting that the Egyptians couldn't see the cloud

Ex 14:19-20

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
KJV

I told the story of the exodus out of Egypt to our grand children the other day. And wanted to refresh my mind on details of the story this AM. It's interesting to see that the pillar of cloud just looked like darkness to the Egyptians - while at the same time being visible to the Israelites! So it's another of the many amazing miracles that took place through God's power throughout Old Testament times.

Hello @MyrtleTrees, here is a bit of commentary on the passage that might be interesting to you. The Hebrew in v20 is not clear, so we are not absolutely sure what was meant, but we know that something amazing happened that day. The Lord, who had been travelling in front of the Israelites as He led them out of Egypt (as a Pillar of Fire by night, and as a Cloud by day), moved from travelling in front of the Israelites as their leader to behind them as their protector/defender. IOW, Israel's "Guide" became their "Guard" right when they needed Him to be (which is how He continues to operate with all of us, His saints, to this day, yes? ).

Here's the commentary I was speaking of.


Thank you for reminding us of this wonderful text and amazing event in our history, and for reminding us of our wondrous and loving Abba, our Guide and Guardian who saves us, sanctifies us, and sees us safely through this life (come what may) so that we can be with Him forever in Glory

God bless you!

~Deut

I, my mother, and my sister were in the room when Dad was dying. I saw two beings, they consisted mostly of an outline of light, come to help Dad make the transition out of his body. I was the only one in the room who saw this.

We are surrounded by angels that we do not see.

Who exactly did guide and protect the Israelites, was Jesus. 1 Corinthians 10:4

Now, once again; we Christian Israelites of God, can expect Jesus to protect us thru all that must happen before He Returns.

Your wonderful insights to Bible stories are a real blessing... and then to realize that the best is yet to come... SERENDIPITY BABY!!! We are blessed indeedy!

Thanks for the compliment, and God bless you!

Thanks - good passage - I'd forgotten that one - I like the whole part:

1 Cor 10:1-4
10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
KJV

Yes, it's interesting to know that the "angel" mentioned as going before the people of Israel, was in reality - God! I'd forgotten that. Sometimes, the word, "angel" - means "God" - as the word can mean either a angel as we know it or God.

Yes, it's refreshing to read of miraculous events God did in Bible stories like this! It is a reminder of how great and powerful God is!

Here's another verse that came to mind - referring to the people of Israel who followed Moses, as being "the church in the wilderness":

Acts 7:37-38

37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
KJV
That's the only verse in the Old Testament that uses the New Testament word, "Church." And in the above passage - Moses is used as a figure of the new "Moses" (Jesus) who would be the one who guides, under the New Covenant. God worked through Moses in Old Testament times - God has always worked through His people whom He had do great works for Him. But now, we have a more excellent "Moses" than before - Jesus Himself - who guides those who follow Him.

interesting, Its like believers can see Gods mercy and kindness but unbelievers can only see Gods wrath.

and we must be aware that there were probably a few egyptians that actually DID believe and went with the Hebrews on their exodus. They might have been adopted children or whatever, but certainly God didnt begrudge them if they believed.

“19 And the Angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them (the “Angel of God” spoken of in this Verse is actually a preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ; the Lord Jesus is Jehovah and, one might say, the Jehovah of the Old Testament; He placed Himself between Israel and the enemy; in the same manner, the Believer may look for his difficulties, and not find them, because God is between him and them); and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them (this is the Holy Spirit):

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them (to the Egyptians), but it gave light by night to these (to Israel): so that the one came not near the other all the night. (Concerning this, Mackintosh says: “How like the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Truly, that Cross has a double aspect likewise. It forms the foundation of the Believer’s peace and, at the same time, seals the condemnation of a guilty world. The self-same blood which purges the Believer’s conscience, and gives him perfect peace, stains this Earth and consummates its guilt. The very mission of the Son of God which strips the world of its cloak, and leaves it wholly without excuse, clothes Believers with a fair mantle of Righteousness, and fills their mouth with ceaseless praise.

“The very same Lamb Who will terrify, by His unmitigated wrath, all tribes and classes of Earth, will lead, by His gentle Hand, His Blood-bought flock through the green pastures and beside the still waters forever!” [Rev. 6:15-17; 7:13-17].)”

JSM

The Miracle of God’s Word

Galatians 2:14
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

This is a very powerful and very revealing scripture which points out that when the Child of God has their faith in the cross and there alone, they are walking upright according to the Truth of the Gospel, and CAN SEE those who are NOT. This is why we are seeing a FEW today who are teaching scripture in the Light of the One who said that He is the Light of God’s Word (John 8:12), reproving and rebuking all that is not upright according to the Truth of the Gospel. Only through faith in the cross of Christ does the Holy Spirit give one eyes to see (John 3:3-5), therefore when we begin trusting in anything other, we go blind (2 Peter 1:9) once again. Peter wrote that because he experienced it first hand.

While one’s faith is in anything other than the cross, such as the Purpose Driven, The Government of 12, or any other of the golden calves men have brought into the Church, they walk in blindness with only a deceiving FORM, but no power (2 Timothy 3:5). To think we need something other than what God has provided for us in Christ and His atoning work at Calvary, is to tell God, “The Cross was not enough.” Until the Church returns to faith in the Cross alone, there will be no repentance granted, for repentance can only take place as one acknowledges the Truth (2 Timothy 2:24-26), which is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. The Cross is what God did in Christ to save and to transform all who will believe upon Him. Anything else is a self transformational ministry and is of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Trust Christ and HIS WORK at the Cross and you will find the power of God you need daily, as it is called Grace!

Seeking God in His Word and experiencing Him through faith in the sacrifice of Christ!

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7/4/2020

Pastor Curtis

I had not thought of that before........THANKS

True - the pillar of cloud is described as having been God (and yes, Jesus was God in the flesh). True, Jesus and the cross looks different to believers as compared to unbelievers! The word, "angel" sometimes refers to angels - in the Bible, and other times, refers to God - that's what I've read in Bible dictionaries.

2 Cor 2:16

16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
KJV
1 Cor 2:14

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned
KJV

2 Cor 4:3-4

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
KJV