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GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
December 23, 2000, ~ Christ in Exodus #44 RADIO MESSAGE #351
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"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."
This pillar appeared to Israel after their exodus from Egypt to lead them along their circuitous journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land (13:17f, 20). It was a visible representation of Jehovah in the person of His divine Angel (Exodus 14:19; 23:20, 23; 32:34), the pre-incarnate Christ. Therefore what is said regarding this pillar is descriptive of Christ also.
The same is true regarding the pillar about which we read in Isaiah 4:2-6. This passage is a prophecy of another Israel which would be provided a pillar just like that which was provided to the former Israel (vv.5f): "then the LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain."
This prophecy is Messianic. It is presently being fulfilled in Christ to His church. Christ is therefore to His church in this day and age what He was to Israel in the former day and age.
We here will observe several ways in which the pillar God gave to Israel in Exodus 13:21f portrays Christ.
I. This pillar was one entity comprised of two elements. Although we read in the present text of both a "pillar of cloud" and a "pillar of fire," we are not to conclude that there were two separate pillars. To the contrary, there was but one "pillar of fire and cloud" (14:24), the fire perhaps being enveloped by the cloud.
Christ is one person comprised of two natures. Isaiah emphasizes the dual natures of Christ by identifying Him as the "Branch of the LORD." The humanity of Christ is evidenced in that He is identified as "the Man whose name is the BRANCH" (Zechariah 6:12f); and as a descendant and therefore a branch of David (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5f; 33:15f; see also Zechariah 3:8). The deity of Christ is evidenced in that this Branch is named "JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16). The joining of these two natures in one person occurred at the incarnation of Christ, when the divine Word assumed humanity and thereby became the God-man (John 1:1, 14) - "God manifested in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16).
II. This pillar was given for the benefit of Israel only: "And the LORD went before them in a pillar" – them alone. None but the people of God whom He had just delivered from Egypt were to enjoy the benefits of this pillar.
Christ is given for the benefit of His people only. Isaiah identifies them as "those of Israel who have escaped" (v.2) - not from the bondage of Egypt, but from the "snare of the devil" (2 Timothy 2:26). This is the "Israel of God" which walks after the gospel of Christ (Galatians 6:4-16), not that which walked after the law of Moses. Isaiah identifies them as "Mount Zion" and "Jerusalem" (vv.3, 4, 5), which in this day is identified with "the general assembly and church of the firstborn" (Hebrews 12:22f). Christ is given as a pillar to them alone, "over every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies."
III. The pillar was a guide to Israel: "And the LORD went before them ... in a pillar" (cp. Deuteronomy 1:33; Numbers 9:15-23). From the moment they left Egypt until they entered the Promised Land, this pillar was their guide.
Christ is the Guide to His people. They acknowledge that He was sent "to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). To them He is "the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: the LORD your God ... who leads you by the way you should go" (Isaiah 48:17). From the moment they acknowledge Him as their Shepherd, He leads them "in paths of righteousness" to green pastures and still waters, through the valley of the shadow of death, and ultimately into His eternal house (Psalm 23).
(To be continued.)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Luke 2:15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this things that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."
"For many years this hymn was known as an anonymous Latin hymn [18th century]. Recent research, however, has revealed manuscripts that indicate that it was written in 1744 by an English layman named John Wade and set to music by him in much the same style as used today. The hymn first appeared in his collection, Cantus Diversi, published in England in 1751. One hundred years later the carol was translated into its present English form by an Anglican minister, Frederick Oakeley, who desired to use it for his congregation. The tune name, "Adeste Fideles," is taken from the first words of the original Latin text, and translated literally means "be present or near, ye faithful." (Kenneth W. Osbeck in Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions)
I. An intention of adoration is expressed (v.1):
1. Christ the Lord (refrain). This is the title by which the angels identified Him: "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (v.11). He is the Christ, or Messiah (see John 1:41; 4:25), because He is Jehovah's Anointed (Psalm 2:2) - anointed in all His mediatorial offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King (Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 61:1; Acts 4:27; 10:38). He is the Savior because "He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). He is the Lord because He possesses "the name which is above every name" at which "every knee should bow" and "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD" (Philippians 2:9-11).
2. King of angels (v.1). The Father has designated Christ as such, and the angels acknowledge Him as such (Hebrews 1).
3. God of God (v.2), or God from God. Christ is the One sent from God to men to be acknowledged by men as God (John 5:17-23).
4. Light of Light (v.2). "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5), and Christ is "the brightness of His glory" (Hebrews 1:3).
5. Very God, begotten, not created – Lo, He abhors not the virgin's womb (v.2). He is the Father's Son by an eternal generation, a generation which must be conceived as spiritual and divine, not physical and mortal. He is the Creator, not a creature. And He who made woman condescended to be born of woman.
6. Word of the Father, late in flesh appearing (v.4). He is the divine Logos , the One through whom God has communicated Himself to man (John 1:1f, 14-18) "in these last days" (Hebrews 1:1f).