“And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: “– Exodus 14:19
There are some folks who are always searching for something more, rather than enjoying what they have or where they are. They are the ones who go through life trying to create doors of opportunity rather than wait on God to open them. They are always busy but forever discontent. It would do them good to realize that just as the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord so are the stops! Our text gives us a good example of this.
J. R. Miller commented: “It is not always guidance that we most need. Sometimes we must stand still, with danger all around us, and then God goes behind us to shelter us. He always suits himself to our need. When we require guidance—he leads us. But when we need protection—he puts himself between us and the danger.
There is something very striking in this picture the divine presence moving from before, and becoming a wall between Israel and their enemies. There are some mother-birds, storks for instance, which cover their young with their own body in time of peril, to shield them, receiving the dart themselves. Human love often interposes itself as a shield to protect its own. On the cross, Jesus bared his bosom to receive the storm of wrath—that on his people no blast of the awful tempest might strike!
But not only does Christ put himself between us and our sins; he puts himself also between us and danger. The Lord God is our shield. Many of our dangers come upon us from behind. They are stealthy, insidious, assaulting us when we are unaware of their nearness. The tempter is cunning and shrewd. He does not meet us full-front. It is a comfort to know that Christ comes behind us—when it is there we need the protection.”
The will of God is our only safe place. If we lag behind when we should be following, or if we run ahead when we should be waiting, we endanger ourselves. God told Israel to “stand still”. Had they ignored the command and kept going they would have destroyed themselves. Think about it! –HDS
