Pillar of Fire: a 40-year theophany
- Ken Kalis
- Jul 27
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 13
I love to see how the LORD showed Himself to His people in the Old Testament.
More wonderful is the fact that He came Himself to be with His people in the New.
But now that He has gone back to His throne He sent the Holy Ghost to take His place.
He comforts, leads, and protects us now just as He did before.
Today we can see Him just by reading His Word. The Holy Bible. Isn't Jesus Wonderful?
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After our last theophany with Moses* (1571-1471), what is remarkable to me is that there were no theophanies during the time he was in Egypt until the Israelites were freed.
The unfolding events during the plagues, characterized by their silence, evoke deep questions about how God intervenes in our lives.
An asterisk* after a name means the person is in my book SPIRITUAL LIVES
The Mysterious Nature of the Plagues
As Moses* stands before Pharaoh, demanding the release of his people, a startling absence is noted: the nine plagues—blood, frogs, gnats, flies, disease of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness—occur without any visible sign of divine intervention or presence.
God's ways may surpass our expectations. Often, we may need to find faith not just in grand displays but in moments of quiet and silence.
The "Destroyer" in Exodus 12:23
A pivotal moment occurs in Exodus 12:23 when "destroyer," strikes down the firstborn of Egypt but passes over homes marked with the blood of the lamb. This "destroyer" is a warning to us, says St. Paul* (5-62).
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. -! Corinthians 10:1-11
Most people think that this was a destroying angel operating under direct commission from God, but some think the "destroyer" is simply a plague like the one reference in Numbers 16:46-50 This ambiguity highlights the complex interplay of justice, mercy, and obedience within God’s plan.
For example, imagine the tension as the Israelites prepare to defend themselves while trusting in God’s promise of protection. The scene calls for faith: they must believe that the lamb's blood will save them, illustrating themes of redemption that resonate throughout biblical history.
The Pillar of Fire Theophany at the Red Sea
After the plagues, the scene shifts dramatically as the Israelites leave Egypt. Here, as the children of Israel left Egypt and approached the Red Sea, we have a theophany where God manifested Himself visibly to vast multitudes and endured for many years. It is first mentioned in this way:
Exodus 14:24 notes, “During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.”
This illustrates God's active involvement, providing a powerful safeguard for the Israelites.
Moreover, as stated in Numbers 14:14, the Israelites claim, “And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, O LORD, are with these people and that you, O Lord, have been seen face to face.”
The Pillar of Cloud was a unique theophany in that it remained visible to the Israelites for 40 years, and other theophanies sprang from it. The first is referenced here: 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: - Exodus 14:19.
The angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel—The “Jehovah” of Exodus 13:21 becomes here “the angel of God,” as “the angel of Jehovah” in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) becomes “God” (Exodus 14:4), and “Jehovah” (Exodus 14:7). The angel is distinguished from the cloud, and represented as antedating its movements and directing them. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
The angel of God — Whose ministry was made use of in the pillar of cloud and fire, went from before the camp of Israel, where they did not now need a guide, (there was no danger of missing their way through the sea,) and came behind them, where now they needed a guard, the Egyptians being just ready to seize the hindmost of them.
There it was of use to the Israelites, not only to protect them, but to light them through the sea; and at the same time it confounded the Egyptians, so that they lost sight of their prey just when they were ready to lay hands on it. The word and providence of God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a bright and pleasant side toward those that are Israelites indeed. -- Benson Commentary
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These passages affirm that God is not just a distant observer; He is engaged, fighting for His people amidst their fears. This strong presence contrasts sharply with the silence of the plagues, further emphasizing the importance of God’s tangible involvement.
Reflecting on Divine Presence
The journey of the Israelites from Egypt reveals a rich tapestry woven with silence and presence, illustrating how God's approaches to intervention vary across our lives.
The theophany represented by the pillar of cloud and fire brings comfort and reassurance, while the earlier plagues prompt deeper explorations of faith during challenging times.
Ultimately, we learn that God’s presence may manifest in subtle ways, in the details of our daily lives. As we reflect on the story of Exodus, may we become attuned to the quiet workings of God. Let us trust that He is always with us, guiding and protecting us in times of silence as much as in moments of power.
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HE LEADETH ME
He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
Refrain
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Refrain
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Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862.
Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go. Isaiah 48:17
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