The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 317

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 21, 22.-The fiery-cloudy pillar. The visible pillar is no longer beheld, but God's fiery-cloudy presence still attends the Church in her wanderings, and confers upon her benefits analogous to those enjoyed by the ancient people. God's presence, as manifested in the pillar of cloud and fire, was- I. HoLY.-1. God is holy. Holiness is the principle which guards the distinction between the Creator and the creature. It eternally excludes everything evil and im- pure from the Divine nature (Martensen). It is the "zeal of the Lord of Hosts" for his own honour, and for the maintenance of the interests of truth, purity, and righteousness. The fire in the cloud was a symbol of it. 2. It is as the Boly One that God dwells in his Chwrch. "The Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee" (Is. xii. 6). Holiness, ar,eordingly, becomes those who would serve him (Ps. xciii. 5). 3. The privuege is great, but peruous. (1) Sin leads to the withdrawal of God's presence. When Israel sinned in the matter of the golden calf, God withdrew beyond the precincts of the camp. The cloudy pillar removed to a distance ( eh. xxxiii. 7-10). (2) Rebellion provokes God to anger. On more than one occasion fir~ came o~~ from the midst of the pillar and destroyed the rebels (Lev. x. 2; Num. xvi. 22; xvu. 10). " Our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. xii. 29). Holiness turned against sin is wrath. God tempers the vision of his holiness, which otherwise would be unendurable to man, by shrouding it in the cloud. II. E}.-r.IGHTE~"ING. "A pillar of fire to give them light." God's presence in his Church is illuminating. 1. Whence the light shines. The light shines in the Word, in Divine providence, and in the teaching of the Spirit which illuminates both. 2. What t/u:, light does. It shows us spiritual truth. It reveals duty. It guides (se~ bel?~). It cheers in the night of affliction. 3. Light with attendant mystery. The light 1s Ill the cloud. At best, we know but "in part" (1 Cor. xiii. 12). Even reveale~ ui.tn J.LlLS iu; side of mystery. III. SHELTERING. The allusion in Isa. iv. 6 would suggest that the cloud spread itself over the camp in the daytime, and so formed a canopy or shadow from the heat. God's presence is a grateful shelter to his people. They feel the need of it when temp- l&tions fiercely 8111111.iJ, or when tribulation and persecution ariseth because of the Word. OU, XIII, 1'7-22.] THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 313