Spiritual Meaning of EXODUS 13:20-22
[2] In the Word throughout it is said that Jehovah appeared "in a cloud," and that He was "girded with a cloud," also that "beneath His feet was a cloud;" in which passages by "cloud" is meant obscurity of truth, specifically, the literal sense of the Word, for relatively to the internal sense this sense is obscurity of truth (n. 2135a, 4391, 5922, 6343, 6752). This was signified by the "cloud" when the Lord was seen by Peter, James, and John in glory (Luke 9:34); when from Mount Sinai by the people; and when by Moses upon his entering to Him there (Exod. 19:9; 20:18; 24:15-18; 34:5); and also by the circumstance that the Lord so often said that He "would come in the clouds of heaven" (Matt. 24:30; 26:63, 64; Mark 13:26;14:61, 62; Luke 21:27).
[3] The literal sense of the Word is called a "cloud," because the internal sense, which is called "glory," cannot be comprehended by man, except one who is regenerated, and is also enlightened. If the internal sense of the Word, or truth Divine in its glory, were to appear before a man who is not regenerated, it would be like thick darkness, in which he would see nothing at all, and by which he would also be blinded, that is, would believe nothing. From all this it can be seen what is signified by a "cloud by day," namely, obscurity of truth; and when the Word is treated of, the literal sense.
[4] It is said "in a pillar of cloud and of fire," because by "a pillar" is signified a prop which supports (Jer. 1:18; Ps. 75:3; Rev. 3:12; Job 9:6); and it is predicated of the natural, because the natural is like a prop or base to the spiritual; for the spiritual closes in the natural, and there rests. Hence it is that the feet of the angel descending from heaven appeared "as pillars of fire" (Rev. 10, 1); for by "feet" is signified the natural (n. 2162, 3147, 3761, 3986, 4280, 4938-4952, 5327, 5328).
. To lead them in the way. That this signifies the Divine auspices, is evident from the signification of "leading in the way," when said of Jehovah, as being Providence, and the Divine auspices (n. 8093, 8098). . And by night in a pillar of fire, to guide them light. That this signifies that when there was a state of obscurity, it was tempered by enlightenment from good, is evident from the signification of "night," as being a state of obscurity (n. 1712, 6000); from the signification of "fire," as being the good of love (n. 934, 4906, 5215, 6314, 6832, 6834, 6849, 7324, 7852); and from the signification of "giving light," as being enlightenment. That Jehovah or the Lord appeared or went before in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night, was because thereby was represented the state of heaven, for in heaven there are never-ceasing variations and changes of state; for the angels are continually being perfected, which cannot possibly be done without unceasing changes of states. In general these variations and changes are like the changes of times in the world; namely, the changes of the times of the year; spring, summer, autumn, winter, and again spring; and the changes of the times of the day-morning, noon, evening, night, and again morning. When it is morning and noon in heaven, there is enlightenment of the understanding from the Lord, but this enlightenment is then tempered by obscurity of truth as by a cloud; and when it is evening and night there, they have obscurity of understanding, but this is tempered by the Lord by means of the good of love, as by a fire which gives light. These are the things which were represented by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night with the sons of Israel in the wilderness. . To go by day and lay night. That this signifies life in both states, is evident from the signification of "going" and "journeying," as being to live (n. 3335, 3690, 4882, 5493, 5605); and from the signification of "day," as being a state of enlightenment; and of "night," as being a state of obscurity (n. 8106, 8108); thus both states. . The pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people. That this signifies that the presence of the Lord was perpetual, is evident from what has now been unfolded; for so the angels, in whose midst was the Lord, appeared before the people.