The Cloud of Glory!

“…As Aaron was speaking to the entire Israelite community, they turned toward the wilderness, and there, in a cloud, the Lord's glory appeared.….” Exodus 16:10 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Change is arguably the most difficult thing to experience for all people, especially for Christians. We are a people who have been “spoiled” (to use the term respectfully) by the deceitful comforts of this life (the material gains, the educational achievements, and even our family triumphs) that change often becomes a futile effort.

The TRUE Christian experience is one that is perpetual, progressive and increasingly productive. I STRONGLY believe it is impossible to be called a Child of God without the spiritual assignment of growth. True growth, is that which is painful, agitating, and somewhat tiresome. It demands that the best comes forth through the most difficult of circumstances. What REAL is there that will experience spiritual growth without the realization of some sort of human change? It’s just the natural/spiritual order of things! We can’t become productive Christians without changing! This is why, when we’re in the midst of spiritual change, we tend to desire our old “deceitful comforts” again. We desire to go back to what we are used to – what has seemingly “worked” for us.

This was the plight of the Children of Israel in the context of our lesson. As you know, Moses had the task of leading Israel to the Promised (Canaan) Land, but didn’t realize how difficult the journey would be. Why? Israel didn’t really want to leave Egypt (the place of bondage). Israel thought it was the best place for them to be – the place of slavery, degradation, and the bowels of evil. Even after hearing from God, seeing His miracles, and leaving Egyptian rule, they could not detach themselves from the unproductive lifestyles that they were used to.

What a lesson for you and I to learn from this text! Moses told his servant helper, Aaron, to tell Israel to “…come near to God….” (verse 16:9) after their complaining was heard by God. What a powerful call and an awesome opportunity to gain the tranquil experience needed to help them take on the change that was to take place. This “nearness” that Moses called for was unusual for dispensation, because it essentially meant (from the Hebrew Qarab “kaw-rab”) to get close enough to God as to enter into His essential nature! WOW! Israel was presented a chance to really see God from the same perspective that Moses did.

In addition, Aaron did as Moses asked, but was seemingly ignored by the Israelites when (as the text says) “…they looked toward the wilderness….” They didn’t just look as if to merely view, but they looked (from the Hebrew, Panah “Paw-naw”) as to re-attach themselves to the wilderness in turning back and clearing the way for an approach. However, God had another plan as the Children of Israel looked onward. He showed the people His Glory in the form of a cloud. WOW! I can only think of the many times I almost went backwards – when I nearly turned away from the very plan that granted my life’s fulfillment. Oh, but God saw fit to show Himself to me EVEN when I was looking at my own “wilderness” experiences. There He was “clouding” my vision with His Glory – not allowing me the chance to partake of my own pleasures again!

Finally, the “Glory” in this text was the part of God that (from the Hebrew, Kabowd “kaw-bode”) allowed the Children of Israel to see themselves along with the Splendor and Vastness of God. They saw the provisions of God in the midst of their complaining, and the plan of God as they were being filled with His provisions. Yes, it took forty years (though not due to the lack of God), but they moved forward nonetheless and (eventually… as the chapter indicates) they came upon Canaan. Thank God for the Cloud of His Glory!

“…The Israelites set out whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle throughout all the stages of their journey… If the cloud was not taken up, they did not set out until the day it was taken up….” Exodus 40:36-37
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Grace & Peace,
Roc