Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Old Testament: God's Guidance, Pillar of Cloud, By Day, Pillar Of Fire, By Night.
Occasion: The Revelation Of God's Power.
Location: Etham, Near Egypt.
Bible Text:
Exodus 13:20-22 NLT
20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.
22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:20 NLT
20 The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness.
17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
God had a great idea in mind, to be covered in the next Bible Lesson.
Exodus 13:21 NLT
21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.
22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.
The people of Israel, had three things which the people of God still have today....what are they?
1) God's Presence:
Genesis 28:15 KJV (The Lord's promise to Jacob.)
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest...for I will not leave thee..."
Exodus 33:14 KJV (The Lord's promise to Moses.)
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Matthew 18:20 KJV (Jesus promise to His people.)
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.
Matthew 28:20 NLT (Jesus promise to His church.)
Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Romans 8:38,39 KJV (Apostle Paul.)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
II) God's Protection:
Deuteronomy 20:1,4 KJV (The Lord's promise to His people.)
1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
4 For the Lord your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
II Chronicles 16:9 KJV
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him..."
Psalm 34:7 KJV
The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.
Psalm 91:4 KJV (Mother Eagle/ Christ's Mother Love.)
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psalm 125:2 KJV
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about His people from henceforth even for ever.
Isaiah 43:2 KJV (The Lord's promise to His people.)
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
III) God's Guidance:
Psalm 23:2 KJV
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Psalm 25:9 KJV
The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.
Psalm 37:23 KJV
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delighteth in his way.
Psalm 48:14 KJV
For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.
Psalm 73:24 KJV
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Isaiah 30:21 KJV
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
Isaiah 42:16 KJV
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
Luke 1:79 KJV
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
John 16:13 KJV
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.
Unlike Israel of old, we do not need to see the pillar of cloud, nor the pillar of fire, for we have God's inerrant word that promises us His presence, protection, and guidance.
Our God lead Israel to become a great nation, and what great thing, can He do in our lives, is limited only by our surrender to His perfect ways.
Galatians 2:20 KJV (Apostle Paul)
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
Matthew 12:50 KJV
For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.
Salvation Prayer
