The Pillar of Cloud and Fire

Wandering in the Wilderness: The Pillar of Cloud and Fire

Sunday, July 5, 2020   

Revelation 2:1-7 (1218)

Introduction  

             It has been said that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” because dogs and most other creatures, even human beings, become set in their ways as they grow older. Therefore, when radical change is needed the hardest part is the un-learning of old attitudes and behaviors. Some never do and they suffer the consequences. Israel’s reality was that they had escaped slavery to Egypt, but they were destined to return if they did not unlearn their old culture and embrace God’s leadership of their new lives. Can you relate to this? Perhaps a physician has informed you that, if you do not change your habits you will die prematurely and cause hardship for your loved ones. The sobering truth can provide motivation, but it will require dedication and consistent effort to live in a new way.

 

The Pillar and Cloud

            As the people left “the place of shelter” – that’s what Sukkoth means – and moved to the edge of The Wilderness God became visibly present to them in a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. As the people moved further from the familiar and closer to the unknown the Lord became more observable.

As Midwesterners, it’s easy to imagine something that looked like a tornado. It would have been terrifying and fascinating all at the same time.

            Why did God prepare them for war? Why did God prevent them from fighting the Philistines? It must have been entertaining to watch slaves who’d never been soldiers preparing for war against the likes of the Philistines; fierce warriors who worshipped Satan. God knew they were not ready for war, even that they would never be ready if they didn’t learn to completely trust God. Yet, God prepared them to defend their new life under God’s authority. If they didn’t want to go back to Egypt, they would have to fight for their freedom. If not the Philistines, then what? The constant complaints and descent of some of their own would have required strong resistance. Courage and determination were required to overcome their ignorance and fear. While God moved ahead of them into the wilderness the people would have to fight to keep up and resist the urge to give up.

 

Conclusion

            As the people left Egypt behind them, they had to fight the true enemy of new life in the Promise of God – the enemy’s name is “comfort.” The people quickly realized that, as much as they hated being enslaved by their masters, they could at least count on an ugly kind of comfort. Their days consisted of predictable routines, familiar surroundings, food and shelter, and a predictable oppressor. Then, when they entered the wilderness they were challenged to obey and even love their new Master and to depend upon Him for all of their needs. The people learned that faith requires discomfort; that embracing the wilderness requires courage to engage what one fears.

            It’s hard to believe, but most of the people who left Egypt in those days would not make it to the Promised Land because they never realized that their need for comfort was far more oppressive than their Egyptian masters. The current wilderness wandering of our Shiloh family presents us with the same challenges and maybe even the same outcomes. Who will surrender to God’s authority and follow the cloud and pillar? Who will fight the enemy of comfort and courageously let go of those who will not?