Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 1:33
Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents [in], in fire by night, to show you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
33. who went before you ] See on Deu 1:30, and cp. Exo 13:21.
to seek you out a place ] The same verb, tr, which P uses for exploring; see on Deu 1:22. This is the only instance of its use in D. Some, therefore, take the verse as a later gloss, which but repeats what is described in Deu 1:30 f. (yet repetition is a mark of D’s style), while the rest of the verse consists of variations of JE, Exo 13:21, Num 14:14. For P’s additions to the close of this episode see above.
fire by night cloud by day ] See on Exo 13:21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Deu 1:33
To show you by what way ye should go.
The Bible like the pillar of cloud and fire
I. As the pillar of cloud and fire was a blessing to the Jews, so is the Bible a blessing to all ages.
1. Consider the characteristics of the Bible as set forth by those of the pillar. That pillar had its own history.
(1) It was Divine in its origin. It was not a common cloud, nor yet an exhalation from the marshy ground. It was evidently, from the history, a supernatural phenomenon. Does not the Word of God give light, and show the path of duty when all is dark around? Is not its glorious guidance given in the perplexities of this wilderness? All the raging storms of this life diminish not its lustre.
(2) The Bible, like the pillar, is exactly fitted for the object for which it is designed. It is a light to my path and a lamp to my feet, said the Psalmist. Oh, how I love Thy law; it is my meditation all the day. How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
(3) The pillar had two sides, and so has the Bible. The pillar was the same to all in itself, but it looked light and gave light to the Lords hosts, and it looked dark and cast a deep shadow as seen by their opponents. Such, too, is the Bible. To the child of God it is all good, all cheering; to the ungodly it is all dark and terrible. It speaks of Gods power. The power of God is the hope of the Christian, for it is power to help; but the power of God is the terror of the ungodly, for it is power to punish.
2. Consider the general influence of the Bible on the world as illustrated by the influence of the cloud upon those who went with it. The cloud benefited many who never knew or felt its value. In the camp of Israel there were many who were very thoughtless, as there are many in every age, yet did they enjoy the light and beat and guidance. They owed much of their comfort to that mystic cloud, but never felt or even thought of their obligation. Just so is it in reference to the Bible. Its influence is found in many a home where it is not acknowledged.
II. Some of those who were blessed by the light and comforts of the mystic cloud were barred at last from Canaan, as some who have been blessed by Bible truth will never find their way to heaven. When that man on yon northern hills was surrounded by thick mist–when in that mist he lost his way and was overtaken by the chill, dark night, and lost his footing on the narrow ledge along which the path led him, and fell headlong into the deep abyss and was killed–the sight was very sad. But I can point you to a sadder scene than that. It is to see a man walk over some terrible precipice when the sun of heaven is shining to show his danger, and his eyes are open to it. But the saddest sight of all is to see, lost for ever, men and women who have been instructed in the Bible. Many who know the way to heaven come short of it through unbelief.
III. Those who were faithful to God were led by the mystic cloud to Canaan; so shall all believers be led by the Word of God to heaven. Out of all the people who left Egyptian bondage only two entered the land of promise, Caleb and Joshua. The benefits of the fiery cloud were lost upon the rest. The cloud led them ever Jordan, and left them safe in possession of the land. Thus it ever is. Those who are faithful to God find His Word their guide and comfort to the end. Its promises turn their darkness into day, and calm all storms of inward fear. (E. Lewis, B. A.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in,…. For when the cloud was taken up they journeyed, and when that rested, there they pitched their tents; and hereby they were directed to places the most convenient for water for them and their flocks, or for safety from those that might annoy them:
in fire by night, to show you by what way ye should go; which otherwise they could not have found in dark nights, in which they sometimes travelled, and in, a wilderness where there were no tracks, no beaten path, no common way:
and in a cloud by day; to shelter them from the scorching sun, where there were no trees nor hedges to shade them, only rocky crags and hills.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(33) Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place.Comp. Num. 10:33, The ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them . . . to search out a resting place for them; and St. Joh. 14:2, I go to prepare a place for you; and Heb. 6:20, Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus. On the whole manner of this cloud-guidance, see Num. 9:15-23.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
a place. See Exo 15:17. Num 10:33. Jos 3:3, Jos 3:4. Eze 20:6.
your tents. Not only your inheritance, but the halting-place for daily journeying thither. Both were and are Jehovah’s choice for His People.
in fire by night. See Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22. Num 10:33, Num 10:34.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Who went: Exo 13:21, Num 10:33, Psa 77:20, Eze 20:6
in fire: Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 14:19, Exo 14:20, Exo 14:24, Exo 40:34-38, Num 9:15-22, Num 10:11, Num 10:12, Num 14:14, Neh 9:12, Psa 78:14, Psa 105:39, Isa 4:5, Isa 4:6, Zec 2:5
Reciprocal: Gen 45:16 – it pleased Pharaoh well Num 9:16 – General Deu 8:2 – led thee Deu 9:23 – ye believed Jer 31:2 – found 1Co 10:1 – were