SOAP #14 - Pillars

Scripture - Exodus 13 - 18 (The Message & NIV)
13:22 The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.
145 God said to Moses: “Why cry out to me? Speak to the Israelites. Order them to get moving.16 Hold your staff high and stretch your hand out over the sea: Split the sea! The Israelites will walk through the sea on dry ground.17 “Meanwhile I’ll make sure the Egyptians keep up their stubborn chase—I’ll use Pharaoh and his entire army, his chariots and horsemen,18 to put my Glory on display so that the Egyptians will realize that I am God.”19 The angel of God that had been leading the camp of Israel now shifted and got behind them. And the Pillar of Cloud that had been in front also shifted to the rear.20 The Cloud was now between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. The Cloud enshrouded one camp in darkness and flooded the other with light. The two camps didn’t come near each other all night. .... .30 God delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians. And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea,31 and realized the tremendous power that God brought against the Egyptians. The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses.
16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days."
18:17 Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good.18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him.20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."


Observations - God was a Pillar of Fire by night & a Pillar of Cloud by day & He never left the people. When Pharaoh & his army caught up with the Israelites, God come between them, so Pharaoh couldn't reach them until He was ready to show Egypt & Israel His power.  He was always with Israel, and He's always with us.  We can't see Him anymore, but we have the Holy Spirit.  Just as God placed Himself between Pharaoh's army & the Israelites, He places Himself between us & evil.  All we have to do is call to Him!


The rest of the scriptures were included as part of my readings for the day. I put them here because I thought they were interesting.  God was testing the Israelites always to see if they obeyed.  Then it is Moses' father-in-law who has the idea to teach everyone what God says about His laws & how to treat others, and to set up judges in each of the camps and only bring big disputes to Moses


Application - God is always with us.  God is our Pillar in this world for us to follow & to lean on.  His Holy Spirit is our light in the darkness.  We still have to follow Him when we are walking in the Light, just as the Israelites did, or it will be easier for the darkness to find us again.  His Word is Truth & Light!!  We have to lean on Him.   He is also ready to place Himself between us & Satan, we just have to ask.  Well, I think God is beating me over the head with this one. Cry out to Him always & follow His Truths!!


Prayer - Dear God, I am trying to cry out to You every day with my whole heart.  Help me to focus on You!  Amen.