Cloud

Clouds in Scripture serve both natural and theological functions. Naturally, clouds brought rain to a land dependent on seasonal rainfall, and their presence signaled divine provision or judgment. Theologically, the cloud is one of the primary media of divine presence and revelation in the Old Testament. The pillar of cloud led Israel by day through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21), descended upon the tabernacle at its dedication (Exodus 40:34), and settled upon the tent of meeting when God spoke with Moses (Exodus 33:9). The cloud concealed the divine glory while simultaneously making it present.

At Sinai the cloud covered the mountain and the LORD spoke from within it (Numbers 11:25; Numbers 12:5). Job speaks of God walking in the vault of heaven and the clouds as the fringe of his garment (Job 22:14). In the New Testament, a cloud overshadows Jesus and the disciples at the Transfiguration, and the voice of the Father speaks from it (Matthew 17:5). The Son of Man is promised to return on the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30), and Paul describes the living saints as caught up in clouds to meet the Lord at his coming (1 Thessalonians 4:17).