For a period of forty years the children of Israel journeyed in the presence of the Lord (Exo. 13:21-22; Num. 14:14).They had the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. The Israelites did not journey according to their
opinion, but simply followed the movement of the pillar.
Actually, there were not two pillars, but just one. In the day the pillar was like a cloud and in the night it was like
a fire. During the day God shaded the people, protecting them from the bright sunlight. During the night he gave
them light to illuminate their way. This pillar was God Himself. Therefore, during the forty years in the wilderness
the children of Israel enjoyed the presence of God. They also ate manna, the heavenly food, day after day, meaning
they enjoyed God as the tree of life. Thus, even in the wilderness we see the line of the tree of life. Although we
may have a negative concept about the children of Israel in the wilderness, they nevertheless experienced the tree of
life, enjoying God day by day.
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