Numbers: Christ is the Pillar of Cloud by Day and the Pillar of Fire by Night

PREACHING CHRIST THROUGH THE BIBLE |

Numbers: Christ is the Pillar of Cloud by Day and the Pillar of Fire by Night

Numbers 9:15-22

“On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night” (Numbers 9:15-16)

One of my favorites books in the OT is Numbers, the Fourth Book of Moses. Why is it called “Numbers”? 

The Greek translation of the Bible, aka “Septuagint,” based the title “Number” because of the “numbering” or census of the Israelites in the first four chapters (1-4). However, the original Hebrew is  בַּמִּדְבָּר (Bemidvar) or “in the wilderness.” Hebrew people consider this book a historical narrative.

Numbers is a part of the Pentateuch (or the five books of Moses), which is why it is a continuation of Genesis (Creation and beginnings, the promise of salvation, and Patriarchal stories and covenants, etc.), Exodus (Moses, Egypt, Red Sea, Mt. Sinai, etc.), Leviticus (Giving of laws for Israel’s religious life), and Numbers (Mt. Sinai to Wilderness, giving of additional laws, Border, etc.)

• “Numbers tells how God’s people traveled from Mount Sinai to the border of the Promised Land. But when they refused to take possession of the Land, God made them wander in the wilderness for nearly forty years.” (ESV Introduction)

In this wilderness journey, the Pillar of Cloud and Fire is a central figure guiding the Israelites everywhere.

Context:

The pillar of cloud and fire manifested before Israel crossed the Red Sea. During the time the Hebrew people escaped Egypt, the Lord already appeared to them in their journey out on the edge of the wilderness.

• “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” (Exod. 13:21-22)

It was a visible reminder for the Hebrews to see that God is with them and he will never leave them.

The pillar of cloud and fire has always been with them in Exodus. It led and journeyed with them in the wilderness.

• “Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.” (Exod. 40:36-38)

From the moment they left Egypt to the edge of the Red Sea, through the crossing of the sea to the wilderness journey, God was with them in plain sight.

The questions for us today are:

• Why is the pillar of cloud and fire important?

• What are the significant implications of the pillar of cloud and fire in Numbers? 

• What’s in it for you as a Christian today, especially that we no longer have the pillar of cloud and fire visibly?

I. SEE THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE AS GOD’S PRESENCE AMIDST HIS PEOPLE (v.15)

God is at the center of his people. He is the center of the world for Israel. As the tabernacle is at the center of the Israelite camp, so is the pillar of cloud and fire. 

“On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning.” (v.15)

The word “cloud” is the manifestation of God’s holy presence (example in Mt. Sinai). This phenomenon is called “theophany” (or “God appearance”). It’s indicated in the word “appearance” which means a sight or vision.

The principle here is: Where God’s people are. God’s presence is there. When we gather together, God is here. We need to find ways on how to maintain fellowship in Christ, and not neglect.

II. SIGNIFY THE PILLAR OF CLOUD AND FIRE AS A GREAT PICTURE OF CHRIST (vv.16-17)

“So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped.” (vv.16-17)

The interesting truth about the many Old Testament figures and sacred objects is that they somehow portray Jesus. The Bible uses typologies, metaphors, and other forms of figurative speeches to portray the coming Messiah, Savior, and Lord Jesus. 

However, there is no direct mention of Christ as “the pillar of cloud and fire” in the New Testament, except that it was closely identified with “the angel of the God” who could be taken as a pre-existent appearance of Jesus. Take note of the parallelism. 

• “Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them” (Exod. 14:19)

For Paul, the pillar of cloud and fire is implicated with Jesus Christ. Paul is well known in interpreting the Old Testament and finding Jesus in many significant facts and figures. In the light of the doctrine of the Scriptures, these are considered revelations. It means God is disclosing Jesus through history.

• “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:1-3)

Every Hebrew person knows what their ancestors experienced in their wilderness journey. The passover in Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the forty-years wilderness experience of seeing the pillar of cloud and fire, and the provision of manna and water from the rock, all of these are familiar to them. One thing is needed, they must see Jesus in it.

As Christians, if the New Testament is vague about the idea of Jesus Christ directly identified with “the pillar of cloud and fire,” we can only make a stand that the interpretation is a symbolism or a spiritualizing of the Bible. It will be more of a typology or allegory, rather than expository.

III. SUBMIT TO GOD’S COMMAND AND MISSION (v.18)

We all know that gave his revelation. As a Christian, what’s in it for you? Obviously, we no longer have a pillar of cloud and fire in front of us today. But we can learn from the past.

“At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped.” (v.18) 

In Israel’s journey, following the pillar of cloud and fire is a matter of obedience. The command of God matters if they want to enter the Promised Land.

Likewise, we must obey his command and commission. If you want to arrive at God’s destination, you must follow his vision. His commission must be your concern.

Despite that Israel saw the manifestation of God, they still disobeyed God. For that reason, they were not able to reach the Promised Land.

IV. STAY AS LONG AS GOD WANTS YOU TO STAY (vv.19-20) 

“As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out.” (vv.19-20)

This time of waiting is essential in the life of Israel. Normally, people don’t like to wait. Many are confused in convoluting “waiting” as the same with “wasting.” But it is not. The Bible teaches that waiting upon the Lord is considered one of the most important parts of our relationship with God. It is not a time of idleness but preparation for the next move.

Even though God’s timing is essential, Israel is impatient. But God is very patient with Israel. Despite their repeated failures, God walked with them like the way we would walk beside babies who would fall time and time again.

We need to learn from this story. If God decides for us to stay, we need to stay. If you cannot identify the specific place or still in doubt, then stay faithful to him. You have to take care of your soul while the glory of God remains there. As long as God’s glory stands, it’s still time to stay.  

V. SET OUT WHEN GOD WANTS YOU TO GO (vv.21-22) 

“Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out. And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out.” (vv.21-22)

Actually, it is believed that it only takes 3 to 4 four weeks to travel from Egypt to Canaan, especially if you have herds. Migrating to another country with their flocks was nothing new. Their forefathers, Jacob and his sons, migrated before. They were nomads. However, in their case, God moved with his own pace and timing

The rule for Israel was simple: When the glory of God moves away, it’s time to move away. When God leads you to a certain place, be there. The problem of the Israelites is that even though they were already delivered from Egypt, their minds and hearts remain there. They still possess the slave mentality, instead of being free. They actually want to overstay or return in Egypt. 

The problem of overstaying happens when the people of Israel feel good about their situation or they are living in their comfort zone. People forget God’s mission because of their comfort zone. They grumbled about moving out by faith. But God wants them to be on the move with him, whether they like it or not.

As Christians, we must understand that nothing is permanent in this world. We must be on mission with God. If God called you from somewhere, and brought you into his mission field, be there. His mission must be your passion.

If it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Wherever God leads you, you need to follow. Wherever he sends you, you also go. 

This principle is essential in Israel’s history. The next generations would also remember this life journey with God.

• “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” (Neh. 9:12)

Today, Jesus is our Unseen Pillar of Cloud and Fire. From where we are now to where we are going, how to get there means following Jesus every step of the way. But without the pillar of cloud and fire, how will you find and follow God’s leading for you today? 

We all have certain directions in life, for our families, careers, dreams, etc. I grew up understanding that following the Lord’s leading or God’s will must have at least confirmations from the following:

• Conviction of the Holy Spirit

• Confirmation of the Scripture texts

• Counsel of mature Christians 

• Commendation from spiritual leaders

• Circumstances

• Competence whether you are spiritually gifted for the task  

• Etc. 

What makes the difference in the past than today?

Finding the Lord’s leading and will is through God’s wisdom. Unlike before that the Hebrews and early disciples could hear the commands of God audibly, with all the supernatural manifestations, today, we need wisdom to discern God’s way.

Now that you know these things--like His last command, our first concern. His mission, our passion. His vision, our destination--will you succeed in following Jesus or not?

How would you feel if after 40 years of living a religious life, you failed in the end?

We cannot be too confident or cocky of our knowledge, abilities, and achievements. It would be unthinkable to believe that we are far better than those millions of Hebrews who saw God’s manifestations with their eyes. And yet, in the end, they disobeyed. They did not believe it. They failed. 

Even the 2nd generation cannot brag when they entered the Promised Land, for as you can see, the affluence of the land conditioned them to reject God until they become exiles. 

Do you want to succeed? 

Only by his blessings we will build and rebuild

Only by God’s grace, we will succeed.

Only by his presence, we will prosper.

For this reason that we have nothing to brag about ourselves, jewish Priests pray this prayer every morning when they make sacrifices for the people. We call it the “Priestly Benediction” in Numbers (Numbers 6:24-25). This prayer is also my prayer for every one of you.

[May] Adonai bless you, and guard you –

יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ‎

[May] Adonai make His face shine unto you, and be gracious to you –

יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וִיחֻנֶּךָּ‎

("Yāʾēr Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā viḥunnékkā ...)

[May] Adonai lift up His face unto you, and give to you peace –

יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם‎

("Yissā Adhōnāy pānāw ēlekhā veyāsēm lekhā shālōm.")

Shalom 

-Dr. Glenn Plastina