tribesofsinai2024

Exodus describes how the Lord God YHWH himself led the children of Israel to and through the Sinai. ‘By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light so that they could travel day and night.’^[1]

After fleeing east out of Egypt the escaping Israelites came up against a natural barrier in front of them, the Sea of Reeds.^[2] Directly behind them, the Egyptian army was closing in on them with their chariots. Pharaoh had changed his mind about letting his workforce go and had sent his army after them. As the Egyptian army closed in ‘the angel of God’, who had been travelling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. ‘The pillar of cloud moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.’^[3]

While holding Egypt’s armies at bay the Lord parted the waters enabling the children of Israel to cross safely on dry land to the other side. When the Egyptians followed the Lord threw the army and its chariots into confusion. By daybreak, the Egyptian army was trapped and panicking as the waters flowed back over them. Not one of them survived.

When the cloud stayed in the camp the people stayed put. When he moves the people follow. From the cloud and fire, the Lord saved, led, provided for, empowered, and protected his people. 

Moses first encountered this tangible presence of God from the burning bush at the foot of Mount Sinai. There the Word of God spoke with him commissioned him and gave him the power to perform miracles. Later YAHWEH fulfilled his promise by bringing all of Israel there to speak his law to them from cloud and fire from the top of Mount Sinai. Then the LORD’s presence came down from the mountain with the wind and fire to fill the Sinai Tabernacle with His presence right at the epicentre of the camp. 

Later in Jerusalem, the cloud of the Lord filled Solomon’s Temple at its dedication.^[4] Interestingly there was no fire and smoke in Herod’s temple until 70 CE when the Roman legions burnt it to the ground. It was the living sacrificial bodies of the disciples who became the new temple with the wind and fire of God dwelling within, guiding, and empowering them from that unforgettable day of Pentecost onwards. 

Reflection

PRESENCE: By faith take time to acknowledge that the Lord has promised to be with his people by day and by night. We engage with his Spirit by trusting and acting on his promise that he is with us and that he gives the Spirit without limit to those who seek, love, and obey Him. 

BREATH: Having established first principles above someone once told me that YAΗWEH was the breath of God. YAΗ was the intake and WEH was the breathing out. Try it! Take a deep breath through your nose while calling YA from your innermost being. Then exhale slowly releasing WEH from your inner spirit. Try breathing, meditating, and calling on His name in this way for one minute. 

FIRE: The fire of God comes to judge and purify. Are you willing and able to ask him to come close to judge and purify your innermost being and tongue afresh? 

BAPTISM: The Lord opened the sea, led his people through, and then closed it again on the Egyptian army which was trying to pursue them. 

‘’Do not be afraid.

Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today.

The Egyptian you see today you will never see again.

The LORD will fight for you;

You need only be still.’’^[5]

Prayer 

Thank the Lord for his total salvation. 

Amid the fasting and mosque calls please pray for the life, miracles, suffering, death, resurrection, and glorious return of Jesus Christ to be made known to some. 

May believers receive patience, loving kindness and boldness to reach out to others. 

May the Holy Spirit reveal, convict, save, lead, provide for, empower, and protect those he leads out of Egypt.

^[1] Exodus 13:21.

^[2] Sometimes translated Red Sea

^[3] Exodus 14:19,20

^[4] 1 Kings 8:10. 

^[5] Exodus 14:13.