"And the Lord went before them in a pillar of a 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." Exodus 13:21

The Israelites' failure in their wilderness wanderings was not because they lacked light at night or shade from the blistering heat of the Sinai Desert. How sad! A journey that should have taken only a few weeks took 40 years to complete. Disobedience and rebellion against God's leading bring certain confusion, halt moving forward, and ultimately result in the judgment of God. The Lord was in the pillar that was a cloud by day and fire at night to guide them without error back to their homeland. There should have been neither needless stopping, or travelling in circles, except for the Israelites’ lack of will to obediently follow the Lord's guidance. The presence of pillars, e.g., the in-dwelling Holy Spirit, and the Word of God in our hands, give believers all the light and comfort needed on our journey.