The Pillar of Cloud and Fire a Type of Christ

    Ex 14.

    I. THE Pillar of Fire was a certain guide to the Israelites, while they passed from Egypt to Canaan. So Jesus Christ is our true guide by his Word and Spirit, till we come to the heavenly Canaan, or land of immortality, Nu 9:15-17.

    II. It was a guide to them by night, that they might not lose their way; so Christ is our guide, in the dark night of trouble, temptation, and desertion.

    III. The Pillar of Fire was not only a guide to them, but it also afforded them much light, which made their journey comfortable to them: a person may have a sure guide in a night, and yet be in darkness, or have but little or no light. So Jesus Christ is not only a guide to his people in their passing through the night of mortality, but also a light; a light to them that sit in darkness, as well as a guide for their feet into the way of peace; he is upon this account the comfort and joy of God's Israel, Ex 14:20.

    IV. The Pillar of Fire was darkness to the Egyptians, though it gave light to Israel; so is Christ's salvation, joy and comfort to the godly, but a stumbling-block and stone of offence unto the wicked.

    V. The Pillar of Fire did not afford the Israelites light only, but heat also (as a worthy writer observes) by which means they were kept from the piercing cold of the night. So Jesus Christ, the anti-type of this fiery Pillar, affords us much spiritual heat, by his Word and Spirit, which are compared to fire; by which means we are kept from the cold and luke-warm temper or frame of heart, which God's soul hateth, and thereby preserved fervent in spirit, burning in love and divine zeal to "God, his saints, and to holiness.

    VI. This Pillar, in going behind, between the camp of Israel and the Egyptians, was a blessed defence and protection unto them. So Jesus Christ is the defence and safeguard of his people, Ex 14:20.

    VII. The Pillar of Fire, if the enemy had strove with it, or made resistance against it, would have burned and consumed them together. So all that rebel against Christ, or resist him, shall be devoured. "Who would set briars and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together,"Isa 27:4.