Pillar of Protection

Exodus 13:21-22

“The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar fire by night did not depart from before the people.”

Exodus 14:24

“And in the morning watch the LORD through the pillar of fire and cloud looked down on the hosts of Egyptians and discomfited [them].

In these 2 portions of the scripture, the bible revealed how God led and protected the children of Israel from aggression and attack by a pillar of cloud and of fire as they journeyed to the Promised Land. God formed a pillar of cloud by day which had the ability to protect the people from the harsh weather during the day and could also change and became a formidable wall of opposition and a barrier against their enemies. The pillar of cloud blindfolded the Egyptians and there was no easy reach to the children of God when they came to attack and re-conquer them after they had let them go.

On the other hand the pillar of fire made the night look like day for the children of God so that they could move freely during the night hours too. It also protected them from the attack and onslaught of the enemies and wild desert animals.  Beloved let us take a closer look at the meaning of the word pillar.

A.  Column

The pillar is called a lot of names in Hebrew that are somewhat similar in meaning on close examination. For instance it is called Matstsêbâh (mats-tsay-baw’) in some sense, which implies something stationed, that is a column) ҅. Closely related are the words ammûwd (am-mood’) or   ammûd (am-mood’) which is a column (as standing uprightly). It can mean a stand or platform.

B.  Support structure

It can also be referred to as matstsebeth (mats-tseh’-beth) which means something stationary or motionless that serves as a support structure. The livewire or mainstay of a body or organisation, such as a monumental stone or the stock of a tree or a leader that carries the other structures. Closely related is the word marbêts (mar-bates’) meaning a reclining place or something to lean on, lie down.

C.  Garrison

It can also mean a garrison, a battalion, stronghold mounted or, a defence force amassed against the enemies. A testimonial of God’s ability and power, a physical tangible sign

Other meanings

D.  Idolatrous object/structure

It can also mean an idol erected at a place of worship. In this same sense it can also mean a (memorial stone or tombstone [in the same way, it can also mean paying tribute to a fallen hero or a close relative or a (standing) image or shrine.

Somehow in whichever way the word pillar is used you can see it has something to do with strength, support, power, firm, a fort, might and divinity.

So the word pillar in Hebrew is not an ordinary word, it is ambiguous. When used together with protection it becomes power packed. The spiritual connotation of the two words then has something to do with Deity (deity) and therefore divine. They do not just use the two words together without reference to Omni-potent, Omni-presence and Omni-science God. Whenever they used it they were usually referring to the One and Only God showcasing His presence or might. But this does not mean people always turn to God. There is always the choice to turn to Light or the darkness.

The Fool says in his heart there is no God and trusts in false gods (Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1).

Deuteronomy 32:38-40 (Amplified)

“Who ate the fat of their sacrifices and drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them rise up and help you. Let them be your protection! See now that I, I am He, and there is no god beside Me: I kill and I make alive, I wound and heal, there is none who can deliver out of My hand. For I lift up My hand to heaven and swear, As I live forever”.

Beloved what happened here was that the children of Israel had worshipped idols by bowing themselves to them and offered sacrifices and libations to them. Most idols are erected as standing pillars or stones entrenched on the ground. To them they saw an image of God in the idol and decided to worship it. What they did not know was that the image they saw and worshipped was the image of satan and not God.  But when trouble come they people quickly realised that the idols they saw as an image of “God” were not God and therefore cannot save or deliver them from trouble and went back to God clamouring for help. God told them through their leader Moses to go back to the idols they had earlier worshipped to seek protection.

God did not stop at that point only. He expressed and clearly demonstrated His protective abilities and capabilities. Amen! He told the people I can kill and make alive but what you went and worshipped cannot kill and make alive; I can wound and heal but the idols you made sacrifices to, can’t. In other words God told them, “The image you worshipped only knows how to steal, kill and destroy. It only knows how to cause trouble, inflict hardship and expand problems but does not know how to remedy it or bring about peace.” Similarly when you unveil the tombstone of a relative, lay a wreath and observe “1 minute silence” you are worshipping an idol and stand the risk of incurring the anger and wrath of God. Beloved the image you are unveiling in terms of the tombstone or honouring by laying a wreath or observing “1 or 5 minutes silence” is not the image of your close relative or your fallen hero but the image of satan.

Before we go further let us see what protection stands for in Hebrew. Protection in Hebrew is called çêther (say’-ther) but when used in its feminine form it is called cithrâh (sith-raw’). It means a cover either literarily or figuratively and can be used in a good or bad sense. It is taken from another Hebrew word çâthar (saw-thar’) which means “to hide” (by covering) which literarily or figuratively means to “be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret”. When you keep a close watch on a thing you are offering protection to it. When you cover a thing or a person you are swathing or enveloping that thing or person somehow. That is indeed protection. For example if you keep your money in a bank you are doing so for safe keeping and avoiding robbers from breaking into your home. When you hide yourself under the shadow of the Almighty you are hiding yourself from an attack launched by the enemy. You are placing yourself under the protection of God and therefore offering protection to yourself. In which case, you are safe from bodily harm or injuries or life threatening situation.

2 Samuel 22:3

“My God, my Rock, in Him will I take refuge; my Shield and the Horn of my salvation; my Stronghold and my Refuge, my saviour – You save me from violence.” 

Here the psalmist is referring to God as his Rock (Pillar). God is his Rock of offence and Rock of defence in Him he finds protection. He is the Protector and Redeemer of his soul, spirit and body.

Also in some sense protection is called Machăçeh (makh-as-eh’) or Machçeh (makh-seh’) which simply means shelter but when used literarily or figuratively means hope. It also means refuge, trust.  When somebody is offered an asylum in another country he is free from arrest and deportation. It means he is under the protective custody of the state that offered him an asylum.

Psalm 46:1-5

“GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas. Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved: God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning].”

This scripture amply shows how God protects not just His people and believers but also their cities and nations. God is a mighty and an impassable Rock when it comes to the defence and protection of His people. He is ever ready to deliver, ever ready to prove His mettle. Be it, hurricane such as that which wrecked havoc in Oklahoma City sometimes ago or a tsunami or an earthquake that threatens lives and property, God is always there to save and deliver His people.

Beloved never think that the society you live in will get better than what it is now. Kidnapping and killing of people in a barbaric manner will never cease. Satan has released his agents to reverse the good works of the Lord. When scripture said, “darkness may cover the Earth”, it is referring to what will happen at a time such as ours. When the scripture talks of perilous times it is referring to the end time such as this present day. The evil days of the end time have caught up with our generation. What we are witnessing at the moment is the end time game plans of satan. He is busy executing them because he knows he’s got but a short time left for him and his cohorts. However Beloved, marvel not, God is still on the throne! He has a master plan for His people. The people of the God and the followers of Jesus Christ will be under His protective shield. The unfolding events and happenings will still turn out in favour of the children of God. God has not and will never abdicate His responsibility to His people and followers of Jesus Christ. God will be their pillar of protection by day and by night. God meant every word spoken by Him.

Psalm 61:3-4

“For You have been a shelter and a refuge for me, a strong tower against the adversary. I will dwell in Your tabernacle forever; let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

God is our Pillar of protection, our safe haven.  God is the Stronghold of your life, the Sanctuary of your safety. Amen! He protects you from hostility and life threatening situations. I am a living testimony of that.  Even when a siege is laid against your life and destiny He does not appear late. God is a place of refuge and all who run to Him are safe and well secure in His arms. Jesus Christ is God’s eternal tent of tabernacle. He has stretched out His arms wide open ready to welcome you and offer refuge to you.

If you are a believer it means you are already living in His tabernacle. You are under His protective custody. God is saying, “Fear not, I am with you”. Though there may be darkness covering the Earth I AM YOUR PILLAR OF PROTECTION. Violence may be raging the World over I will protect and guide you. Though kid-napping, adult-napping may be the order of the day they will never know your dwelling place. God will blindfold your enemies and adversaries. Terrorism may be threatening the fabric of the society you are safe in the Lord. God is your shield, your refuge and saviour.