The exodus narrative (Ex 19) also invokes this creation imagery with the Spirit descending, hovering over the waters, and separating them in order for dry land to appear, then leading the redeemed host by pillar and cloud to the Sabbath rest.1 The Spirit leads the Israelites by pillars of cloud and fire through the tohu wabohu (darkness and void), cutting or separating the waters for safe passage, but cuts off Pharaoh’s armies in the process (Ex 13:17 – 15:27). The Spirit’s leading in the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night is the visible assurance that God is with his people,
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