January 26, 2025
Exodus 13:17-22
“Pillar of Promise”
Service Overview: Exodus 13:17-22 shows God’s intentional guidance of Israel through the wilderness, leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. This passage emphasizes God’s presence, direction, and protection in uncertain times. It challenges us to trust God’s leading, even when His path isn’t immediately clear.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Background & Technical Insights:
- The Hebrew word hamushim, translated “ready for battle,” might better be rendered “equipped for travel.” It is unlikely that the Israelites, as newly freed slaves, are armed for military conflict, especially given what God says at the end of verse 17 regarding the prospect of war. If they were armed, they might not be quite so fearful of the Egyptian army that pursues them. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 116)
- The Red Sea is frequently mentioned in connection with the exodus (cf. Exod. 15:4; Deut. 11:4; Josh. 2:10; Ps. 106:7; 136:13). In Hebrew it is ‘the sea of Suph’. Sûp occurs in Exod. 2:3 in a reference to the reeds along the Nile, and so commentators often suggest the translation ‘sea of reeds’ in preference to Red Sea. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 161)
- Before he died, Joseph made his brothers promise that, when God delivered Israel from Egypt, their descendants would take his coffin with them to the Promised Land (Gen. 50:24–25; Heb. 11:22). Joseph knew that God would keep His promise and rescue the children of Israel (Gen. 15:13–16). Joseph also knew that he belonged in the land of Canaan with his people (49:29–33). (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 79)
- The precise location of Etham is not known. It may have been at the eastern end of Wadi Tumilat, close to Lake Timsah. Throughout the account of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to Canaan, the Lord’s presence is often linked to fire and smoke (e.g., 14:24; 19:18; 24:17). (Alexander, Exodus, 117)
- Exodus 13 – 18 covers two months, within which six events are recorded: the Red Sea crossing (14:1 – 15:21), the waters of Marah (15:22–27), the manna (16), water from the rock (17:1–7), the defeat of the Amalekites (17:8–16) and the arrival of Jethro (18). (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 146)
- It was the patriarchal custom to be taken home for burial (e.g. Gen. 50:1–13), but Joseph countermanded this loving custom in favour of awaiting God’s fulfilment of his promise. What a testimony to faith in God’s faithfulness! And as they carried Joseph’s coffin with them, what a constant reminder it was of the God who is so reliably faithful. (Motyer, Exodus, 160)
What does this scene from the Israelites’ journey teach us about God?
- God is always smarter than his people.
(vv. 17-18 | Psalm 147:4-5; Proverbs 2:6; Isaiah 40:13-14; 40:28; 46:10; Romans 11:33-36)
The “way of the sea” was the quickest way for Israel to leave Egypt. They would have arrived in less than two weeks instead of 40 years! That was the shortest way, but not the best way. There were enemies in that direction, and Israel was not ready for battle. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 79)
God’s providence is His constant care for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people. (Jerry Bridges, Trusting God, 25)
Where the people expected to turn north, they turned south and ended up in the wilderness! And this was not because they had got God’s directions wrong, but because they had got them right. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 169)
- God is always faithful to help his people.
(v. 19 | Numbers 23:19; Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 33:4; Isaiah 25:1)
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. This fulfills the request that Joseph made centuries earlier (Gen. 50:25) and confirms the confidence that he had in God’s promises to the patriarchs concerning their descendants taking possession of the land of Canaan. (T. Desmond Alexander, Exodus, 116)
The people were not redeemed and then left to their own best devices. The Lord who appointed them for salvation also appointed their onward path, not just as a general directive but on a day-to-day, moment-by-moment basis. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 160)
During their years in the wilderness, Israel saw Joseph’s coffin as a reminder that God has His times and keeps His promises. Joseph was dead, but he was bearing witness to the faithfulness of God. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 79)
- God is always present to guide his people.
(vv. 21-22 | Exodus 33:14; Psalm 23:1-6; 25:4-5; 32:8; 139:7; Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 58:11)
The Scripture states that “the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud” (v. 21). This showed that he was with his people all the time, day and night. The pillar was a visible manifestation of his personal presence. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 382)
The fundamental truth that we need to take note of in all of this is that for the Israelites guidance was made easy and unmissable. Every move in whatever direction, every stop and start, every turn of the pathway was by the will of God. Whether they were in the comforts of Elim or in the dire straits of Rephidim, it was because the Lord had led them there. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 168)
Conclusion… What does this then teach us as followers of Jesus?
- Never trust what we think is best over what God has clearly revealed is best.
(Micah 6:8; Psalm 90:12; 111:10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:18; 1 Peter 2:15; 1 John 3:20)
Not till we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty, acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours. (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 101)
We do not always understand (or like!) what God is doing, but we can trust that for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, He is working all things for their good; and according to Romans 8:29, that ultimate good is conformity to Jesus Christ. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 79)
- Never allow fear to challenge what we know of God’s faithfulness.
(Joshua 1:9; Is. 41:10; John 16:33; 2 Thes. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 10:23; 1 John 1:9)
If you permit the Lord to direct your steps (Prov. 3:5–6), expect to be led occasionally on paths that may seem unnecessarily long and circuitous. Remind yourself that God knows what He’s doing, He isn’t in a hurry, and as long as you follow Him, you’re safe and in the place of His blessing. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 79)
What’s striking when you consider that God is a God of promise is that it means that our lives are, by design, lives of waiting. (Michael Lawrence, Biblical Theology, 169)
- Never forget that if you are in Christ, Christ is now present in you.
(Ps. 139:7; Mat. 28:20; John 16:13; Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:9-11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; Heb. 13:5)
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit “lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:17). The Holy Spirit is the third per son of the Trinity. Since he is divine, the Bible declares that “the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you” (1 Pet. 4:14). Now part of the Spirit’s glorious work is to give us direction for life. Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13a), and now by the power of his holy presence, God is always with us to guide us. (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 383)
As you make your journey in this life, know you are not alone if you are a believer. We are not left as orphans (John 14:18). We have God not only among us, but in us! So, no, you do not have a cloud. Instead, you have the Spirit Himself, guiding you into all truth. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 82)
Gospel Connection…
Because of Jesus, God’s Spirit now lives in us; to teach us, help us, and be present to guide us through all life’s journey.
(John 14:16-17; Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 4:6; Hebrews 4:16)
I can imagine one saying, “Well, I sure would like to have a cloud!” “I would like to order up a cloud to hover over the guy I should marry!” Or “I would like to have a cloud lead me to my college destination!” Actually, in the new covenant, after Christ’s earthly ministry and ascension, we now have something better; namely, the Holy Spirit indwelling individuals. (Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 80)
Just as Israel was led by the pillars of cloud and fire to their inheritance in the land, so we are led by the Spirit to our inheritance in the new creation (Romans 8). (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 98)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What does it mean to you that “if you are in Christ, Christ is now present in you”?
- How can we cultivate an awareness of Christ’s presence within us throughout our daily lives?
- What works of the Lord have you heard of or seen that help you believe and trust God in times of trial?
- How did God visibly guide the Israelites to the Red Sea? How does God guide believers today?
- True faith depends on what God says, not on what we see or how we feel. What makes this challenging for us?
Quotes to note…
It is often said that the “wilderness had no place in the purpose of God for Israel. But this is certainly erroneous. It was God Himself who led the people round about “the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea.” It was God’s original intention that Israel should take exactly the route which they actually followed. Not only is this evident from the fact that the Pillar of Cloud led them each step of their journey to Canaan, but it was plainly intimated by the Lord to Moses before the exodus took place. (Arthur Pink, Gleanings in Exodus, Location 3425)
Providence has wider issues in mind than merely our personal comfort or gain. (Derek Thomas, What is Providence, 12)
When a person becomes a Christian and has authentic faith, he has a real mystical union with Christ, so that Christ really comes to indwell the believer. When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, His righteousness is counted towards us and we are justified. At that same moment, Christ, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, comes to dwell inside of us. (R.C. Sproul, The Purpose of God, An Exposition of Ephesians, 85)
It is hard to make sense of things in our minds because we are not God. Our minds cannot grasp the big picture. God knows what He is doing. We may not know the way we are going, but we know our Guide. (Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Exodus, 79)
Faced with life’s problems, we frequently say that we have no answers. The Bible, however, is full of answers – the only difficulty is that they are not the sorts of answers we want. (J. Alec Motyer, The Message of Exodus, 170)
Faith is believing God’s promises. Faith lives in the present in the light of God’s promised future. (Tim Chester, Exodus for You, 97)
Nothing takes God by surprise, for in His providence He plans the best way for His people to take. We may not always understand the way He chooses, or even agree with it, but His way is always the right way. (Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered: Exodus, 78)
[God] will never cease to help us until we cease to need. (C.H. Spurgeon, Treasury of David, Commentary for Psalm 4:1)
Sometimes we wish that God would give us the same kind of guidance today. If only a bright cloud would lead us directly to the school we should attend, the job we should take, or the person we should marry! Yet the truth is that God gives us all the divine guidance we need, and in a much better form. He has given us the fire of his Spirit, and now we have his glorious presence with us all day and all night. It is as if the column of cloud and the pillar of fire have come right inside us! (Phillip Graham Ryken, Preaching the Word: Exodus, 382)
God doesn’t simply give us His Spirit, He gives the Spirit “into” us. Not just “to” us, but by an act of what can only be called intimate impartation His Spirit resides within to encourage, energize, and enable. The Spirit isn’t just here, He’s inside. (Sam Storms, Pleasures Evermore, 234)