In Exodus chapter thirteen, verse twenty-one, God placed the pillars of cloud and fire as proof of His presence, love, and care for Israel. The cloud and the fire were present with the Israelites until they reached the promised land forty years later.
The cloud by day and the fire by night served as a sign of divine provision, protection, and guidance for Israel in the wilderness. The Bible emphasizes that the people were to move or stay only as the supernatural sign indicated. However, God’s counseling did not eliminate the need for human wisdom and planning, for Moses requested Hobab to advise them about the best places to camp in the wilderness.
Obeying God and following His will depends on God’s supernatural guidance and our wisdom based on the principles of His Word. Significantly, we must remain near Him at all times. We should not separate ourselves from His protection and will.
God’s promise to lead His Old Testament people still applies to believers. He will guide us by His Word and by His Spirit. He will direct the paths of all who acknowledge Him.
In all our plans, decisions, and activities, we should acknowledge God as Lord and His will as our supreme desire. Every day we must live a close, trusting relationship with God, always looking to Him for direction. When we do this, God promises to direct our paths. He will lead us to His goal for our lives, remove all obstacles, and enable us to make the right choices.
The fact that one may be redeemed, partake of divine grace, and yet later be a “castaway” by God because of unbelief and evil conduct is a stern warning to believers by examples of Israel’s experience. In Numbers, chapter twenty-six verse fifty-one says there were six hundred thousand seven hundred and thirty mature Israelite males. To this must be added an equal number of women, plus children, for a total of around two million. Of those who had left Egypt, Joshua and Caleb were the only men over twenty who entered the Promised Land. The rest disobeyed God and did not live wholeheartedly for God, whereas Joshua and Caleb did. Those who disregard the instruction of God died off gradually in the wilderness, allowing enough time for them to have children. Numbers chapter thirty-two verses eleven and twelve make it clear about following Him and those who do not follow.